The building in which Harper and Julius Houses co-exist was originally the “New Classrooms” designed by Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort and completed in 1886. It was not until 1931 that the buildings were converted  downstairs to accommodate Houses, while the upstairs remained as classrooms.  In 1962 and 1981 further renovations completed the distinction between the two Houses.

Julius House, was originally known as “North Town” as it was the dayboy House into which all the boys who lived in the northern part of the town were placed. It is named after Churchill Julius, second Bishop of Christchurch (1890-1925) and third Warden of Christ’s College. The Julius House tie shows the mitre with lappets, or ribbons worn by Bishops, as symbols of their office.