Goshen Theatre
216 S. Main Street,
Goshen,
IN
46526
216 S. Main Street,
Goshen,
IN
46526
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The Jefferson Theatre opened as a legitimate theater on November 5, 1905. It later turned to movies and was renamed the Goshen Theatre. Today the former movie house is home to a church.
Any additional information on this theater would be appreciated.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
This is a website for the Goshen Theater.
Here is a recent close-up photo of the Goshen Theater.
Another photo of the Goshen Theater can be seen here.
Its my understanding that when the Jefferson was rebuilt in 1907 after the fire they did not keep the 2nd balcony or the box seats. Then in 1948 they renovated the marquee making it a v-shape which caused the name change from Jefferson which didn’t fit on the new marquee to Goshen. AND at that time they also renovated the seating. We now hold 717.
Is this building still used as a church, a venue for concerts or both?
Here are some 1982 photos:
Photo1
Photo2
Photo3
Photo4
Here is a recent article on the church’s efforts to maintain and restore this theater and expand its use by the community: View link
2010 photo of the Goshen Theatre courtesy david corey.
View link
The July 4, 1908, issue of The Moving Picture World ran this item, datelined Goshen, Ind.: “The New Jefferson Theater has been leased to E. R. Joseph for a moving picture show.”
A 1905 book titled “A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Elkhart County, Indiana” (Google Books scan,) edited by Anthony Deahl, describes a new “Goshen Opera House” which was then under construction, but from the description it is clear that it was the Jefferson Theatre.
The Jefferson Theatre was designed by the noted Chicago theater architect J.M. Wood, who in the late 19th century nearly rivaled John McElfatrick in popularity as a theater designer.