Your welcome John, I understand you completely. It’s difficult entering in a religious place and ask questions about the history. People usually get the wrong impression. However, church is a public place and is open to everyone. I know the current Pastor and he is a very friendly and welcoming individual. I can’t really speak on their behalf in regards to welcoming cinema people at the site. I don’t know how they would react but it wouldn’t be in a dismissive manner. They are very polite and are mostly interested in just welcoming people to worship. I do know that the current pastor is very knowledgeable and has been a member for decades. So I do plan on meeting with him soon and asking those questions. I recently found out by my associates that the building was indeed functioning as a church in the 80’s. You do make a good point about vandalism in the 70’s because it probably would’ve been effected especially during the 1977 black out. Feel free to contact me at and we can continue to converse.
I was a member of Calvario Pentecostal church (formerly known as Rivoli Theater) from 1993 to 2005. No major chances had been made to the interior. The original seats are still intact. Of course the screen had been removed and was converted to an altar. Only minor changes for maintenance. The exterior has been painted and work on several times. I would really like to know what the building was being used for between the years of 1950 through 1989. I gather all information below is accurate. If anyone has information for those decades I would greatly appreciate it. I have great sentimental value in this place. Thanks
Current Pastor: Luis Lebron 2008-
Former Pastor: Ramon Clemente: 1992-2006
Former Pastor: William Velez ?-1992
Church Building History:
El Calvario was originally known as The Myrtle Theater and is listed in the 1914-1915 edition of American Motion Picture Directory.
A Kramer theater organ was installed in the Myrtle Theater in 1921.
In October 1933 it was re-named Rivoli Theater
NY Times February 9, 1936
MOVIE CROWD FLEES SMALL DRAPERY FIRE; Cry Alarms Part of Audience of 1,000 in Brooklyn, but Blaze Is Quickly Extinguished.
About 1,000 persons, many of them children, were viewing a motion picture about 4:30 yesterday afternoon in the Rivoli Theater at 1374 Myrtle Avenue, near Central Avenue, Ridgewood, Brooklyn, when a man in the audience shouted “Fire!”.
NY Times December 18, 1941, Thursday
BROOKLYN THEATER IN NEW OWNERSHIP; Rivoli on Myrtle Ave. Bought by Corporation and Leased to Raybond Movie Chain
The 900-seat Rivoli Theater, at 1374 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, on the northeast corner of Harmon Street, running through to Himrod Street, has been sold by George Giegerich to the Hartle Realty Corporation, a client of Moses H. Hoenig, attorney.
NY Times December 27, 1948
For 1200 children of the downtown Brooklyn area, a Christmas carnival will be … at the Rivoli Theater, 1374 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, for 1000 children, December 27, 1948
Bway, this is the link I created for former church members on Facebook..here you will be able to see some pictures of the interior. View link
Your welcome John, I understand you completely. It’s difficult entering in a religious place and ask questions about the history. People usually get the wrong impression. However, church is a public place and is open to everyone. I know the current Pastor and he is a very friendly and welcoming individual. I can’t really speak on their behalf in regards to welcoming cinema people at the site. I don’t know how they would react but it wouldn’t be in a dismissive manner. They are very polite and are mostly interested in just welcoming people to worship. I do know that the current pastor is very knowledgeable and has been a member for decades. So I do plan on meeting with him soon and asking those questions. I recently found out by my associates that the building was indeed functioning as a church in the 80’s. You do make a good point about vandalism in the 70’s because it probably would’ve been effected especially during the 1977 black out. Feel free to contact me at and we can continue to converse.
I was a member of Calvario Pentecostal church (formerly known as Rivoli Theater) from 1993 to 2005. No major chances had been made to the interior. The original seats are still intact. Of course the screen had been removed and was converted to an altar. Only minor changes for maintenance. The exterior has been painted and work on several times. I would really like to know what the building was being used for between the years of 1950 through 1989. I gather all information below is accurate. If anyone has information for those decades I would greatly appreciate it. I have great sentimental value in this place. Thanks
Current Pastor: Luis Lebron 2008-
Former Pastor: Ramon Clemente: 1992-2006
Former Pastor: William Velez ?-1992
Church Building History:
El Calvario was originally known as The Myrtle Theater and is listed in the 1914-1915 edition of American Motion Picture Directory.
A Kramer theater organ was installed in the Myrtle Theater in 1921.
In October 1933 it was re-named Rivoli Theater
NY Times February 9, 1936
MOVIE CROWD FLEES SMALL DRAPERY FIRE; Cry Alarms Part of Audience of 1,000 in Brooklyn, but Blaze Is Quickly Extinguished.
About 1,000 persons, many of them children, were viewing a motion picture about 4:30 yesterday afternoon in the Rivoli Theater at 1374 Myrtle Avenue, near Central Avenue, Ridgewood, Brooklyn, when a man in the audience shouted “Fire!”.
NY Times December 18, 1941, Thursday
BROOKLYN THEATER IN NEW OWNERSHIP; Rivoli on Myrtle Ave. Bought by Corporation and Leased to Raybond Movie Chain
The 900-seat Rivoli Theater, at 1374 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, on the northeast corner of Harmon Street, running through to Himrod Street, has been sold by George Giegerich to the Hartle Realty Corporation, a client of Moses H. Hoenig, attorney.
NY Times December 27, 1948
For 1200 children of the downtown Brooklyn area, a Christmas carnival will be … at the Rivoli Theater, 1374 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, for 1000 children, December 27, 1948