Westover Theatre
4712 W. Forest Hill Avenue,
Richmond,
VA
23226
4712 W. Forest Hill Avenue,
Richmond,
VA
23226
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Additional Info
Architects: A.O. Budina
Functions: Church
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Westover Hills Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Westover Theatre opened on August 30, 1950. The theatre had a completely plain facade as its entrance, which had a three sided marquee. To the left of this was a brick building with large windows, which was the actual foyer and theatre building. Inside the auditorium, seating was provided in orchestra & balcony levels. A feature of the decoration was the metal grille panels on each side of the auditorium.
The Westover Theatre was closed in 1995, and was converted into the New Canaan Baptist Church.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Somewhat similar to the Westhampton. Kept in good repair.SHOULD have remained a theater.The area needs one.
PLEASE CHANGE ADDRESS, THE ADDRESS NEEDS TO BE CHANGED BY REMOVING ONE LETTER, IT IS MAKING THE LOCACTION BE OFF BY SIX MILES:
REMOVE THE S FROM HILLS
AKA
WESTOVER HILLS THEATER
Open ~1955-~1995 appromixate? Your all welcome to verify for more exact dates.
Open for sure in 1967.
Oweners:
1955-1986 Neighborhood Theaters Inc., of Richmond, Morton G. Thalhimer, Chairman of the Board, Sam Bendheim Jr. President, they had 32 theaters in Virginia in 1967.
1986-1990 SKS Enterprises Inc.
1995 Neighborhood Entertainment Inc.
Need more info and photos.
My faith needed a location for its S.Richmond “inner city” congregation.They bought a church from a congregation. That money then enabled them to buy the Westover,which had recently closed.I pass this theater building regularly and like the fact that it still looks like a theater.
I was manager of the Westover in 1971-1972, and when CABARET was released, we tried playing it exclusively at the Westover. The area was beginning to gentrify and we hoped we could put the theatre back on the map (even though it was 20 years old) by playing this much anticipated musical. It played only four weeks, and then moved to the Westhampton where it ran to overflow crowds. It broke my heart to fail with this effort.
At least in 2012 it is the New Canaan Worship Center.
CT could use more photos, past and present, inside and out, and more info.
DJA
Chief Bob Jensen
Manteno, Illinois
The Westover holds a special place in my heart. It was the first place I saw a movie as a child in or around 1964 when my Mom took me to see Mary Poppins. The Westover is also huge because it is the first Neighborhood Theatre I started working for in 1977. Cecil Burroughs was the manager and he was a great guy to work for. Dan Coli was our Relief Manager. I worked for Neighborhood for 10 yearsat all the Richmond theaters and a couple in Charlottesville. Some of my fondest memories are from my time in “show business”!
I worked there as a projectionist quite a few times when you were there. I also liked Cecil Burroughs and I remember Dan. My regular job was at the Towne and Trans-Lux, but I pulled quite a few shifts at the Westover. It was a beautiful theatre. I really liked the waterfall curtain.
To mlively: Outside of Seminole 4, what other theater did work in Charlottesville?
I saw CABARET here during its brief run… I think with reserved seats. In ‘68 saw BONNIE AND CLYDE there with my father. Even when it became a 2nd run venue the projection (on a fairly large curved screen) and sound were always good.
Grand opening ad posted.