The Hospital of La Maison Dieu, or Domus Dei which forms part of the Town Hall buildings was founded by Hubert de Burgh then Constable of Dover Castle, in 1203. At first consisting of little more than a hall and kitchen, it was enlarged after the canonisation of St. Thomas a Becket, for the a,ccommodation of the large numbers of pilgrims crossing from the Continent to visit his shrine at Canterbury. A Master, with several Brethren, were placed in the Hall, and " enjoyned to practise hospitality to all strangers."

Before 1227, a church had been added, and in that year the foundation received a Royal Charter from King Henry III., who was present at the dedi­cation festival. From the available records, nothing definite can be gleaned as to the subsequent development of the building, or date of erection of the Hall and Tower. The former is said to have been the Great Chamber, or " Hoostyre," built in 1253, with the floor at a lower level than at present, and with seven windows on its south-east front. The seventh window is thought to have been built up when the south angle tower was added, at a later, but unrecorded date. The earliest print in the Municipal records is dated 1735, and shows the windows at a greater height than they are now. The walls were apparently of the same height as at present, but the roof, if one existed, was flat. Another print, dated 1801, shows the same condition, but two later plates, 1825 and 1833, show the windows built up.

After the Hospital had been suppressed in 1534, the building was used for various purposes. It became a brewhouse and bakehouse, was converted into store rooms for wheat, flour and biscuits, and as a victualling depart­ment for the Navy. Ultimately, however, it was put up for auction in 1834, when it was purchased by the Corporation. In 1838 it was decided to restore the building, and the work was carried out between 1852 and 1862, from designs by Mr. Ambrose Poynter, the total cost being about ^3,500. The north-west and north sides were pierced with new door openings, giving access to the Council Chamber, the Connaught Hall, and the Police Court. The great window at the north-east end was built up, and all internal evidence of its existence was destroyed.

The floor is entirely new. Below it are the old Police offices and cells, in which may be seen remains of the old masonry. The only other internal parts left visible were the interior of the stair turret at the north angle of the Tower, and part of a built-up arcade which formerly existed between the Hall and other parts of the Maisoa Dieu on the site of the Connaught Hall, from which the arches are seen. The Hall is 124ft. long, by 28ft. wide in the interior, with walls 4ft. thick, strengthened by buttresses. Its restoration and adaptation as a central feature of the Municipal Buildings, completely modernised it. Between 1925 and 1928 further extensive repair and preservation works were carried out under the supervision of officers of H.M. Office of Works ; the general outlines as existing were preserved and the original stone faces, wherever practicable, were exposed.