Terminal Theatre

47 4th Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11217

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Brandt Theaters, Fox Circuit, Small-Strausberg Circuit

Architects: Eugene DeRosa

Functions: Café, Church

Styles: Adam

Nearby Theaters

Terminal Theatre

The Terminal Theatre was opened by the Small-Strausberg Circuit by 1926. It was taken over by William Fox around 1928. It has been restored to its original beauty and was named for the Brooklyn terminal of the Long Island Railroad, which is a few blocks away.

In its last days it was screening Spanish-language movies before closing in the 1960s.

The current occupants are the second church to use the site, and they have done a great job to make this old lady look like she once did.

Contributed by philipgoldberg

Recent comments (view all 16 comments)

gmpro
gmpro on February 3, 2007 at 8:01 am

Does anyone know a site where I can find pictures of The Terminal as it looked in 1950? I am working on a memoir of growing up in South Brooklyn (now the area is included in Park Slope). The only pictures I have are how it looks now as a Spanish church. Thanks for any help.

KenC
KenC on April 5, 2007 at 3:40 pm

Saw the movie “SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT” last Tuesday. It was filmed mostly- if not entirely- in Brooklyn. In the beginning of the film, there are a number of street scenes; one very quick shot of a movie theatre with the name Terminal. The marquee is blank. The letters of the name seemed to be written, but not connected. The year had to be 1985 or 1986.

gmpro
gmpro on April 5, 2007 at 6:46 pm

Ken—Was the movie from 1985 or the setting IN the movie 1985. If it’s the latter, I’d need pictures of at least 30 years earlier. I supposed I will have to spend some time in Brooklyn libraries (I live in Massapequa NY)and research in some historical societies' material. I contacted the pastor of the church now working out of the Terminal building requesting pictures, but I got no reply at all.

KenC
KenC on April 5, 2007 at 7:47 pm

Grace- the movie was released in 1986; I’m assuming Spike Lee filmed it in 1985 and/or 1986.The setting was the mid 80s. Yes, New York libraries and the historical society might do the trick. Did you contact the pastor by letter? If possible, try to get to the church and see the pastor in person. I suspect that would be more fruitful. Even if no pictures result, perhaps he…or long time members of the congregation…have some memories to share.

gmpro
gmpro on April 6, 2007 at 4:27 am

Ken—I contacted the pastor by letter. I suppose the best would be to go there in person. Right now, I am very immersed in the writing of this book. I will, in the future, revisit my old “stomping ground” and mine my memory. My book will begin with a poem I wrote about the Williamsburgh Bank (a few blocks from the Terminal, so I will be back. I have been out of Brooklyn for more than 40 years and it’s true what they say about not taking Brooklyn out of the gal! Thanks for the correspondence.

gmpro
gmpro on June 14, 2008 at 6:06 pm

Lost Memory, I purchased a pictorial book on Park Slope and this picture was included. Thank you. Last summer, I visited the area and saw the church. I went in and the pastor was there. He was very gracious to me. I told him of my interest in the building when it was a theater, that I was working on a book about South Brooklyn in the 50’s and he allowed me to take pictures of the inside. They have done a beautiful job of restoring the interior. The theater seats were replaced by regular chairs and the marquee was removed. I stood at the altar and faced the back of the church and swear I could see The Terminal Theater again. It was heart-stopping for me. Loved it. Loved it.

JoanMarie
JoanMarie on November 11, 2014 at 2:18 pm

In about 1977 or 1978 my family started to attend the first church established at the Terminal Theatre. It’s yellow marquee remained in tact for some time while the church was sort of an evangelical center. When we finally had a steady Pastor, by the name of Rev. C.B. Roberts, (now deceased), from, Ft. Worth, Texas, the church name became The Cathedral of Deliverance. We were there for several years before the church moved to a new location. It was a lovely building, and it was home, although it needed some sprucing up. This photo warmed my heart because we had it painted white and gold. Many of the original members of the church are still extremely close friends today. For us, it will always be a pleasant memory.

robboehm
robboehm on May 18, 2015 at 7:09 pm

Photo from Brooklyn Pics uploaded

MONIQUECLARKE
MONIQUECLARKE on February 22, 2017 at 9:55 am

I was a member of the Cathedral of Deliverance as a small child and remember when it was sold. I moved to the new location but always wondered what the theatre looked like inside now. It was always beautiful. The best pastor in the world even now as I’m an adult I miss him CB ROBERTS was awesome.

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