Allen Theatre
1209 E. Chelten Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19138
1209 E. Chelten Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19138
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The Allen Theatre opened in 1924 seating 400. The theatre was located on East Chelten Avenue at Wyncote Avenue. The architect listed for the theatre was Harvey C. Hodgens of Hodgens & Hill. The Allen closed in 1964. According to the Philadelphia tax records today the building is used as a warehouse and is owned by the Chestnut Hill church.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
I was born and raised in Germantown. This theatre closed before my time. Curious about it though. Anybody remember what it looked like inside? Email me at or post what you remember here. Thanks.
This theatre opened as the Chelten Auditorium in 1920. It was re-named the Allen Theatre when it was renovated in 1924. A small triangular marquee was added at that time. Even though the tax records say it closed in 1964, it actually closed much earlier, probably in the very early 1950s. I’ve come across very few who even remember this theatre. The only thing I was able to uncover is that, when the nearby St. Benedict’s parish was founded in 1922, they used this theatre as their worship site until their church building was completed in 1924. From the front today, there is no clue whatsoever that the bulding was once a theatre. I took a stroll to the rear recently and, from the rear, it does resemble a theatre.
A Robert-Morton theater organ was installed in the Allen Theater in 1925.