Baptist Temple re-opens as performance space

Temple University will open it’s newest performance facility in one of North Philadelphia’s oldest buildings.
The Baptist Temple was built by the University’s founder in 1891. The freshly restored historic buildings will host national and local acts.
The last 30 years have been hard on the Baptist Temple. Shuttered and deteriorating, the building suffered water damage and was home to flocks of pigeons.

Temple University will open it’s newest performance facility in one of North Philadelphia’s oldest buildings.

The Baptist Temple was built by the University’s founder in 1891. The freshly restored historic buildings will host national and local acts.

The last 30 years have been hard on the Baptist Temple. Shuttered and deteriorating, the building suffered water damage and was home to flocks of pigeons.

It took $30 million some of which came from the Commonwealth to turn it into a 36,000 square foot state of the art performance space.

Director Charles Bethea says the Temple’s 140 stained glass windows mostly survived “A few that had been taken our of destroyed and been replaced by clear glass or a piece of wood. Where historical records were available the original window design was re-created.”

The building’s inaugural performance will take place Saturday, April 24th, when the Mendelssohn Club Chorus sings with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.