Temple Theater (Meridian, Mississippi)
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| Temple Theater | |
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| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
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  Location of Temple Theater in Mississippi
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| Location: | Meridian, Mississippi |
| Coordinates: | |
| Built/Founded: | 1924 |
| Architect: | Weil,Emile |
| Architectural style(s): | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| Added to NRHP: | December 18, 1979 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 79003407[1] |
| MPS: | Meridian MRA |
| Governing body: | Private |
The Hamasa Shrine Temple Theater, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, is a historic theater located at 2320 8th Street in Meridian, Mississippi. The Temple Theater was constructed in the Moorish Revival style and originally opened in 1928 as a movie house. The theater features a Byzantine motif, a swirl of marble fountains, large bronze chandeliers, bright colors, and lush drapes.[2] At the time of its construction, the theater contained one of the largest stages in the United States, second only to the Roxy Theater in New York City. The theater houses one of only two Robert Morton pipe organs known to exist today. It is the last remaining theater organ in its original installation in the State of Mississippi.
The Temple, originally used for vaudeville and movies, is now used year-round for area events, live stage shows, plays, and concerts.[3]
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[edit] History
The Temple Theater was constructed in 1928 by the Hamasa Shrine, who sought to relocate because of cramped conditions in their building across town. The Shrine leased the theater to the Saenger Theater chain for 25 years and renewed the lease in 1952 for an additional 20 years, ending in 1972. With seating for 1800 persons, the silent movie era was a prosperous time for the Temple.[4]
Though many movie houses across the nation have been demolished, the Temple has remained in constant use while under the possession of the Hamasa Shrine. The theater has recently been painted and recarpeted, and the seats have been restored to their original condition. The Temple remains true to its original design with one exception: the lobby's terrazzo floor, inlaid with small brass stars, swastikas, and crescents, was edited during World War II. The swastikas, simply design elements when the theater was constructed, were removed.[2]
[edit] Acoustics
The theater contains a Robert Morton pipe organ equivalent to a 100-piece symphony orchestra[3]. The pipe organ is actually three organs in one, with more than 778 pipes, an ornate white and gold console, excellent stop selection, and quality acoustical setting. The organ sustained damage during rain leakage, but is now fully restored due to the efforts of the Meridian Unit of the American Theater Organ Society.[5] The design of the auditorium embodies curved and unbroken surfaces to insure quality acoustics, and a resonance chamber was built as a floor to the orchestra pit, increasing and enriching the tone of the instruments.[4][5]
[edit] The Theater Today
Today, the Temple is now used year-round for area events, live stage shows, plays, concerts, Hamasa Shrine functions, and public screenings of classic movies.[3] It is a part of the Imperial Shrine Council, which consists of 191 Temples throughout North America.[5] Every effort has been put forth by the Hamasa Shrine to make the structure the "finest theater in Mississippi."[5]
[edit] References
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
- ^ a b Temple Theater - Meridian, MS
- ^ a b c Attractions in Meridian, MS
- ^ a b Stirlingprop.com - Temple Theater
- ^ a b c d Lauderdale County History
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