Irem Temple Theatre
62 N. Franklin Street,
Wilkes-Barre,
PA
18701
62 N. Franklin Street,
Wilkes-Barre,
PA
18701
2 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Irem Temple Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc.
Architects: Francis Willard Puckey
Firms: Olds & Puckey
Styles: East Indian, Moorish
Previous Names: Irem Temple Mosque, Temple Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Irem Temple Mosque was built by the Shriners in 1907-1908, opening in December 1908. The auditorium had a flat floor. An unusual feature of the auditorium is the stained glass dome in the center of the ceiling. There was also a Dome Ballroom within the building. The theatre was used for stage presentations and concerts. In 1931 a sloping floor and 1,375 theatre seats were installed. Around 1940 it became a movie theatre, operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. thru their subsidiary Frank Walker.
After standing vacant for many years, a restoration plan was begun in 2024 to convert to a performing arts center.
Contributed by
Dave Bonan
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
The only listing I have for the Temple Theatre is in the 1943 edition of Film Daily Yearbook which lists it as being operated by Paramount Pictures Inc thru their subsidiary Frank Walker. No address or seating capacity is given. It is listed in the 1941 edition of F.D.Y. but only in the Circuits List (again under Paramount Pictures Inc) and not in the State/Town list.
Gone from listings by 1950.
i agree! in my two 1945 philadelphia record it mentions the temple. so 1950 would be the year unless otherwise!
Correct name is Irem Temple. It is currently being restored as a performing arts center. Website Address is 47 N Franklin Street.
I just added a picture to the photo section of the rear of the auditorium.
The Irem Temple Mosque was built by the Shriners in 1907-08, and until 1931 the main auditorium had flat floor. After it was reconfigured to a standard theatrical form it became Wilkes-Barre’s principal venue for touring live theater and concert events. Its Temple Theatre movie house period coincided with the WWII era boom in movie attendance, and after that period it returned to hosting live events until gradually being abandoned due to competition from more modern facilities. Current renovation plans include returning the main auditorium to its original flat-floored configuration.
The principal architect of the building was Francis Willard Puckey of the local firm of Olds & Puckey. When partner Frederick Lauren Olds, twenty years Puckey’s senior, died in 1912, Puckey moved to Chicago and formed the firm of Puckey & Jenkins.