Supporters celebrate Temple Theater's 100th birthday
Nov. 22—Members of the community, Hamasa Shriners and supporters of the Temple Theater gathered in the Temple's lobby Wednesday afternoon to mark 100 years since construction on the building began.
Originally constructed by the Hamasa Shriners, the Temple Theater was one of the largest stages in the country at the time of its opening with the ability to sit 1,600 people. It is still the largest single movie palace in the state and can proudly boast that it has never closed since first opening in 1927.
Rodger Smith, who purchased the Temple in 2009, said Wednesday's centennial celebration was one of the happiest moments he has had since taking stewardship of the historic building.
"It's really a great honor to see all of you, and frankly it's the happiest day in my last 15 years," he said.
A lot has happened in Meridian and in America in the last 15 years that has presented an array of challenges, Smith said, but the Temple has persisted through it all with the help of the community.
"When I got here in 2009 and I bought the theater from the Shriners, it was a new beginning for all of us, and we really didn't know what was going to happen," he said. "And, we've made it really, I think we all agree, some really uncharted times in this country, and we're still here putting on shows."
Ken Rainey, an outspoken supporter of the Temple with decades of experience in show production, said he wasn't quite sure what to think when he heard Smith was coming to take over. Any fears, however, were quickly put to rest, he said, and he and Smith have enjoyed a wonderful friendship over the years.
Over his 15 years of ownership, Smith said he has received a lot of help from the community, and without that support he would not have been successful. Similarly, he said, the Temple Theater would not have continued to exist as it does now if it hadn't been for Ken Rainey.
"I couldn't have done it without the help of the shriners, and the theater definitely couldn't have done it without the help of Ken Rainey," he said.
Smith said he views himself as a caretaker or steward of the Temple Theater instead of an owner. The theater, he said, belongs to the people of Meridian and, with the community's support, it will continue on to serve future generations.
For more information about the Temple Theater or to purchase tickets for upcoming shows, visit thetempletheatre.com.
Contact Thomas Howard at thoward@themeridianstar.com
