Saving Temple Theater

The Temple Theater was added to the top 10 most endangered historic places in 2021. Now, those holding the theater close to their hearts hope to restore and save it.

The Temple Theater has sat on 8th street for almost 100 years, evolving with the times, the music, and the people.

Manager of 12 years, Roger Smith, is hoping that with the community's help the theater can be around even longer.

"There is no theater that has had all of the stars, big and small. They have all played here. Elvis Presley even slept here. So, to not recognize it for what it is, the lady that it is, is a real travesty", stated Smith.

The theater has never had a cosmetic upgrade in its years of hosting more than 2,000 shows.

"It has been open every day for 93 years. It has never had any facelift of any kind. The seats and the carpeting need a little bit of TLC", says Roger. "The building is great. It's built like a bridge of huge steel beams. So, we have a real gem here, and we are really appreciative of the initiative that everybody is taking to help raise donations for the theater."

The theater will be hosting a fundraiser showcase to help curve the cost of the repairs, which could be as much as $500,000 or more:

"I saw a need that needs to be fixed, and with our downtown revitalization and everything that is wonderful and moving forward, we need to go ahead and fix something that is really, to me, considered an anchor in our city," said Supertalk Meridian Manager, Shelly Hotchkiss-Whitehead.

To find out what you can do to help save the Temple Theater, you can reach out to Roger Smith or Shelly Whitehead.