. ' . 11 f*Ra|u III MU tl«*H**l*«MI
Internal changes made throughout the Bijou Theatre's ti4-year history hare not yrr.it I v a tin ted
its external appearance.
Theater's past reveals many faces
By Brian Gallagher
Emerald Contributor
it was first a church, then a
funeral home, and now a movie
theater and offices.
The Wilcox Building, at 492
K. Kith Ave., lias gone through
a number of changes since it
was built in 1
According to Mrs. Wesley
Nicholson, the Wilcox Build
ing. current site of the Bijou
Theatre, was originally de
signed by Walter Ross Baumes
Wilcox, who served as a Uni
versity architecture professor
beginning in 1922 before he be
came head of the department.
It was the original site of the
First Congregational Church in
which Nicholson's husband
first served as church minister
in 1943. Me held this position
until about 1957.
She said Thomas Condon,
one of the University's found
ers, was also one of the found
ers of the First Congregational
Church, where he later trained
to be a minister.
Nicholson said Condon was a
very prominent figure in the
church, which has always had
a high respect for education
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and had a congregation consist
ing of many people from the
University community
Then, the church comprised
only a few rooms with the large
sanctuary, a small chapel to the
side, and several other small
rooms. Nicholson said.
Today, the former chapel is
used to sell movie tii kets and
refreshments.
In addition, a movie s< reen
has replaced the original pul
pit. and the projectionist's
booth, located at the opposite
end of the theater, takes up
most of the balcony where
"long-legged boys used to sit.
where they could stick their
feet down the aisle."Nicholson
said.
“Those boys would always
get out of there before we could
meet them," she added.
In the 1940s. the pews were
heated by hot water piped un
derneath to keep the people
warm during the winter. Most
of the glass had been imported
from Europe, and, with Wil
cox's personal designs, they are
a singular piece of the area's
history.
Nicholson said in 1957 the
church was purchased by one
of the deacons, who opened a
funeral home But the first
Congregational Church contin
ued to meet there every Sunday
until <i new lor ation was Inunil
In 1979. the building was
purchased by Charles and Jan
ice Kush, who made offices out
ot some of the small rooms and
i rented a set ond auditorium for
the Bijou.
The Rushes said that they
don't plan any more alterations
or expansions
Considering the different
functions the building has
served over the years, it has re
mained much the same over its
•■4-yoar history
bartering tire building one
can see antiques in the lobby,
and the old wood an hitei lure
lias been preserved
Old lamps still bang from .1
high ceiling yvith stucco walls
The pews have been replaced
by old-fashioned movie seals
on a carpeted floor and electric
baseboard heaters now warm
(be building.
But the wood architecture, as
well us the windows and the
stucco walls, are reminiscent of
the past and along with its fur
nishings. it helps to create a
landmark unique to the campus
area.
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