Momence Theatre
20 Dixie Highway,
Momence,
IL
60954
20 Dixie Highway,
Momence,
IL
60954
1 person
favorited this theater
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Momence Theatre (Official)
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News About This Theater
- Jun 26, 2008 — Momence Theatre continues restoration
- Aug 2, 2007 — Momence Theatre renovation begins
The Momence Theatre opened in 1928 and was located along Dixie Highway. The theater switched from first-run movies to adult movies in the early 1950s, then closed in 1962. It is currently being renovated for use as a performing arts center.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
On July 11, 2006 the MOMENCE THEATRE FRIENDS purchased the 1925 Momence Theatre. Since that time they have cleaned out the auditorium, renovations to the apartment and taken down the water logged auditorium ceiling. The Kimball pipe organ was also removed as it was totally waterlogged.
Current projects include the moving of 500+ seats that they have obtained from a university. Since their beginning they have been putting on film festivals and live performances in other venues in the town.
Momence is a town of about 3000 folks on the Kankakee River. They
await approval on a construction loan and completion of their 501c3.
If you would like to ‘Adopt-A-Seat’ for a $100 donation or have
questions, please call at 815 549 4175
We have just complete the voting for a marquee by the local town’s residents. There were three choices. Now all we need is the silent angel to write the check to underwrite the choice. The MOMENCE THEATRE FRIENDS continues to press on hoping for a new roof and heat before the winter sets in.
Tuckpointing of the facade began this week. We also are starting to take the castings of the decorative plaster. With no heat for more than one decade most of the plaster has fallen away. However, the important pieces are still there.
Hey, Mark. Just added the Momence to my favorites. Check out our website – www.watsekatheatre.com Tickets go on sale next week for the opening gala! Best Regards, Debra
Roof repairs on the Momence have just been completed. We now await truss repairs in the auditorium. We anticipate the moving of the temporary posts holding up the roof to be completed before the end of the year. Then we can start on the ‘fun’ stuff.
The assistance of the folks from the Watseka Theatre has been a great shot in the arm for us.
We plan to have the first Momence Festival of Trees this year sponsored by the theatre.
We continue to press onward with no debt and great volunteers.
Mark
Well, it’s almost Christmas and we just finished our first FESTIVAL OF TREES in the theatre. It was a great success for such a small town. The downtown is beginning to come back after years of empty stores and neglect. This winter I will be moving into the apartment on the 2nd floor after some additional renovations. Then we begin the big jobs. Our donor base is growing and the need for a small performing arts center is really needed in the county. I’d enjoy showing you the theatre and the progress in downtown Momence.
Here is an ad from the Suburbanite Economist, dated 10/23/55:
For Rent: Barber shop, fully equipped.
Good location in Momence Theater Bldng.
18 N. Dixie Hghwy., Momence, Ill.
Call Momence 57, after 7 p.m.
Back in the 70’s a high school friend of mine had a summer home in Momence and I used to visit regularly. This must have been around 1973 or 1974 the theater was open and still showing porn.
I was on the hunt for a small pipe organ and was told the Kimball was still there. I remember the theater having a very sleek black Vitrolite facade and a very cool deco marquee with matching attraction boards. I managed to talk they guy selling tickets into letting me in and look around. At this time it already smelled musty and I could see signs of water damage.
Does anyone know what’s going on with the theater now? I see that their website is no longer working.
We are in the process of purchasing the theater. This should be completed in the next few weeks. The new concept for the Momence Theater can be viewed @ www.MomenceTheater.org Questions can be directed to