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Uploaded on: November 11, 2025

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A Footscray church is Pulled Down to build a cinema

Workers on the roof and outside a Christian church in Paisley Street, Footscray, prepare it for demolition. A sign at the front of the church reads, ‘This land has been secured by the Federal Picture Company for the erection of a picture theatre’.

Inside the church, men strip the walls and fittings from the rooms. Long beams are used to knock down the remaining façade. Men stand close by as they watch the building crumble.

The theatre that was subsequently built on this site was the Grand Picture Theatre, one of the best known and loved art deco picture palaces in Australia.

It remained open until 1987 when it was converted to a bingo club, which itself closed in the mid-2000s to be replaced by several retail stores. Summary by Poppy De Souza.

Contributed by Greg Lynch -