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Temple Theatre Meridian, Mississippi |
2320 8th Street |
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The Hamasa Shrine of Meridian, MS, contracted with the Saenger organization for a new auditorium to be designed, built, & operated by Saenger in their building, with ownership remaining with the Hamasa Shrine (an arrangement similar to the one made later with Fox for the Atlanta Fox Theatre). Emile Weil's design includes a ballroom for Shrine functions. The theatre's decoration is a byzantine swirl of plaster fountains, a large plaster chandelier, bright colors, & lush drapes. The Temple Theatre has remained in the posession of the Hamasa Shrine, & has remained also in continuous use. It's very original: the method of the Shrine in matters of repair & restoration has been conservative & not revisionist. Stepping into the theatre is much like stepping in back in time to 1928. With a notable exception: the lobby's terrazzo floor, inlaid with small brass stars, swastikas, & crescents, was edited during World War II. The swastikas (simply design elements when the theatre was constructed in 1927) were removed.
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Open console at a meeting of the GCTOS at the Temple Theatre.
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In 2009, the Temple Theatre building was sold by the Hamasa Shrine to businessman Roger Smith, who continues to operate the theatre as a performing arts & movie venue. |
Other information:
Temple Theater -- Meridian, Mississippi, official website | ||
Temple Theater, information & a romp on the Robert Morton theatre organ, from the Magnolia chapter of the ATOS |
Back to the Saenger Theatres | Next: the Strand Theatre in Tupelo, Mississippi |