This was another great little explore right in our own backyard. While exploring with some new friends, we compared notes and locations. There were a few “churches” in our area that we had never ever heard about. We made it a point to add those places to our list for further investigations. One morning we had very little planned, so we decided to make a circle past these churches.
This was our 4th stop that morning and we had been “skunked” at all previous locations. During our initial lap around the building we noticed a door slightly ajar. A little tugging later, and we had made our entry into this gorgeous old theater that had been converted in to a Temple. While this place was run down and not in the best of shape, I feel it wouldn’t take too much to restore this location. Yet, I am sure structurally this place is crumbling as fast as the walls. So much stunning and intricate design work went into creating this space. Everything from the chairs and stage, to the balconies and light fixtures, it all felt simple and welcoming, yet ornate nonetheless!
This 1360 seat theater was originally constructed in 1926 to be a movie house, and to showcase some vaudeville acts. In 1954 an Evangelical tent preacher wanting to lay down roots purchased this theater at a cost of $110,000. With renovation costs totaling nearly $70,000, this theater was then converted into an Evangelist Temple. That total would be just over 2.11 million dollars in today’s money.
Another sizable part of the “Theater to Temple” conversion would’ve included installing a baptismal well. Since the original theater had no need for baptisms, a dedicated space would need to be chosen and prepared. Larger baptismal wells like this one offer churchgoers with physical limitations or advanced age the opportunity to be baptized in a familiar and comfortable setting. With the choir singing and everyone in attendance, your purification and admission into the church could take place, center stage, for all to witness.
We have been back to this location numerous times, yet we haven’t been able to make a second entry(UPDATE ** WE HAVE GAINED ENTRY AGAIN- See below). We really hope to gain access again, mainly to roam the areas we couldn’t before. When we were last here and in the projection room, I saw signs that read “Bowling Alley Fan”. I knew many older movie houses and religious institutions in the Midwest had bowling alleys in them, but we have only ever found one before. With a little luck we would find another bowling alley in this basement.
This 11,500 sq ft basement had been converted into an entertainment and gathering space, so I was intrigued to see whatever treasures it may still hold. For a time around 1976, after the evening mass, families could enjoy a “simple but hearty meal” in the basement for only $2. My hopes of exploring that space were quickly dashed as we approached the basement stairwell. That stairwell and the basement beyond it were flooded. I don’t just mean ankle deep water. For a 1920’s bowling alley and gathering space, we would’ve gotten our feet soaked. This basement was flooded up to eyeball height, easily 4 to 5 feet deep. There would be no basement or entertainment space explored that day. I still hope someday to see this bowling alley and basement if the water recedes, but the chances of that are very slim to none.
****Update**** WE HAVE MADE ANOTHER ENTRY (March of ’25)——> The 3rd gallery will be from our most recent visit. This gallery mostly contains detailed shots from our latest adventure here. Sadly, we still were not able to explore the basement bowling alley and entertainment space. This basement is one of the main reason we keep going back. Unfortunately these basement waters aren’t drying up nearly quick enough. Going forward, we may need to put this site further down the list for future explorations.
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Please enjoy! If you are bored, give our walk-thru a listen
This first set of pictures will be through Rita’s lens! We apologize for any similar pictures, but we like the same design elements.
Now the views of this gorgeous Theater/ Temple through my lens. I find myself constantly day dreaming about going back to this place. The history and changes this place have seen are mind boggling. I could easily see myself living in a theater like this. Even in its sad state, I would enjoy calling this place home!
****THESE SHOTS ARE FROM OUR MOST RECENT VISIT HERE March ’25****
These may be similar to shots that came before them, but we wanted to focus on a few of the finer details. The remaining row lights and their shrouds were an interesting piece of detail we had completely missed on our first entry! The numerous and varied colors in these pieces of stained glass are also gorgeous!
