Baptist Temple, originally built in 1891 for Temple University founder Russell Conwell's congregation, and the source of the university’s name, is set to re-open on April 14 after standing dormant for 30 years. The 36,000-square-foot facility has undergone a $30 million renovation that preserved much of the building's original character while transforming it into a state-of-the-art performance and event space.

“We are thrilled to breathe new life into The Baptist Temple, converting it to a fully equipped, state-of-the-art technical facility,” said Charles Bethea, the venue’s executive director. “The Temple serves as a monument to the growing vitality of our community, offering the university and our neighbors opportunities for deeper engagement with an exciting new mix of arts and ideas.”

Programming will commence on April 24 with a performance by the

Mendelssohn Club Chorus. A full season of concerts, theatre and dance productions will follow, including bookings by Philadelphia Dance Company and Live Nation. Building managers also hope to attract special events such as film screenings, graduations, weddings and other occasions.

The Baptist Temple's primary performance space is Lew Klein Hall, a 1,200-seat theater that features a large, protruding stage, superior acoustics, vaulted ceilings and much of the building's restored original features. Among the unique attributes are custom wood and iron working, 140 stained-glass windows and the Temple’s hallmark Rose Window overlooking Broad Street.

The Temple's location on North Broad Street will position it as the northern anchor of the Avenue of the Arts, figuring prominently in the university’s plans to orient campus along the major corridor.

The building also features the historic Chapel of the Four Chaplains, an event area capable of seating up to 130 guests. The space is named for four military chaplains who gave up their lifejackets to save others as the USS Dorchester was sinking during World War II. President Harry S. Truman dedicated the chapel in their honor in1951.

The chapel is just one facet of the building’s rich 119-year history. Early Temple College students attending night classes in the building from 1891 to 1894 were dubbed “night owls,” which soon became the university’s athletics moniker. The university’s first Commencement was held in the building in 1892, and the Temple has also hosted a number of nationally known speakers, including Martin Luther King Jr., President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Helen Keller.

 

The mezzanine and entry rooms of the Baptist Temple are also capable of hosting events. Guests in this space will enjoy views of both the Rose Window and Lew Klein Hall.

For more information about the Baptist Temple, visit www.thebaptisttemple.org or call 1-800-298-4200. For rental inquires, call the event coordinator at 215-204-9860.

— Kyle Bagenstose