Avon Theatre
3327 W. Fullerton Avenue,
Chicago,
IL
60647
2 people favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Essaness Theaters Corp.
Functions: Church
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Jul 23, 2007 — Chicago Theatre information help
This Logan Square neighborhood theatre, which opened in 1914, could seat just over 800. It was originally built for the Lynch circuit, and was located on N. Fullerton Avenue between N. Kimball Avenue and N. Spaulding Avenue. Following a period of closure, it was reopened on November 22, 1935.
During the 1960’s and into the 1970’s, the Avon Theatre screened Greek-language films. The Avon Theatre returned to second-run films around the late-1970’s, and closed by the mid-1980’s.
The former theatre has served for many years as a church.
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Yes AVON had advertised sub-runs in the late 70’s-early ‘80’s; it was the only time(s) I was there myself although I can’t remember a single films’ name. Overall it wasn’t a remarkable venue.
I only saw a few movies at the Avon. My most vivid memory about was from ‘79, when “The Warriors” played there. Apparently, two local rival gangs went to see the film on the first night and someone got shot.
I don’t know if it was true or an urban legend, but my family and I stopped going to the Avon after that.
I can’t tell from looking at it what might be left inside.
The vertical sign frame remained for many years after it closed as a cinema. I suppose they left it there until it became unsafe and they had to spend the money to have it removed.
Actually I visited the church not long ago. The interior’s been divided up a lot; it’s more a community center in plan. The church area itself is actually a gymnasium, the main theater feature remaining is the ceiling. Cool church, too.
80’s photo of the Avon here:
View link
This is a website for one of the organizations in the building:
http://www.innercityimpact.org/
Hey thanks ,,life to short ,, i liked the photo,,i remember being at the avon to see those movies that week in july in 1982 me and my ,,we always went to the avon or the logan, every week ,,most of the time they ran very cheezy movies ,,like ,venum,and frogs,i saw them both on the same bill at the avon,,
June 11, 1937 photo added, photo credit Peter Fish. Courtesy of the Logan Square Preservation Facebook page.
Sam Katz, of Balaban & Katz, was one of the early operators of the Avon.
Reopened on November 22nd, 1935. Grand opening ad posted.