Grove Theatre
7616-20 S. Cottage Grove Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60619
7616-20 S. Cottage Grove Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60619
1 person
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Lubliner & Trinz, Stanley-Warner Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Architects: Walter W. Ahlschlager
Functions: Church
Styles: Spanish Baroque
Nearby Theaters
A large movie house in the Grand Crossing neighborhood, the Grove Theatre could seat over 1,800 and was opened by Lubliner & Trinz on May 12, 1926 with Rod LaRocque in “Bachelor Brides”.
Designed in the Spanish Baroque style, with an ornate terra-cotta facade, the Grove Theatre’s exterior is quite similar (on a smaller scale) in appearance to another W.W. Ahlschlager designed Chicago neighborhood theater, the Belmont Theatre in Lakeview, now demolished except for its facade.
Operated by Warner Brothers/Stanley-Warner during the 1930’s, 1940’s and into the mid-1950’s, the Grove Theatre was a first-run house for most of its existence.
After it closed as a movie theatre in the 1970’s, it later became home to a church.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
Photos available at Cinematour:
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/16558.html
This is now the Israel Methodist Community Church.
What a great photo,Thanks for posting.
Fantastic photo Bryan. That’s the first one I’ve ever seen of it before it was a church.
May 12th, 1926 grand opening ad has been uploaded here.
Wonder what the auditorium looks like now. Are we guessing that it probably looks like the central park with the balcony separated?
Here is a nice opening day photo.
Clearer, larger version of the 1927 photo dded via Tim O'Neill.
the interior is about 95 percent original inside. The original plasterwork has been restored. Recently saw a service here and was shocked that even the seats were well taken care of. Status should be open because they do have occasional live performances here.
Status should be open