Designed by Jeremiah O'Rourke of Newark, the building was named to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the landing of Christopher Columbus in the new world.

[1] Columbus Hall stands on one of the most commanding spots in the city, directly opposite St. John's Church (also designed by O’Rourke) at White and Ridge Streets.

"[3] The building features a dome which was originally surmounted by a large gilded statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) tall and with its arms extended.

With a seating capacity of 1,150, the theatre was completely equipped with dressing rooms, stage settings, scenery, and gas-lit foot lamps, and featured an iron "fire-proof" curtain and a proscenium arch composed of brick.

Columbus Hall was built to house St. John's Parish School, an institution that was founded in 1862 to serve children from kindergarten through 8th grade.