Granada Cinema, Woolwich

Former cinema, now a church in Powis Street / Woolwich High Street, Woolwich

Granada Cinema, Woolwich

General information
Type| Former cinema, now a church
Architectural style| Modernism
Address| 174–186 Powis Street / Woolwich High Street
Town or city| Woolwich (SE18)
Coordinates| 51°29′35.8″N 0°03′42.87″E﻿ / ﻿51.493278°N 0.0619083°E﻿ / 51.493278; 0.0619083
Construction started| 1936
Inaugurated| 20 April 1937
Dimensions
Other dimensions| 48 × 28ft (stage)[1]
Design and construction
Architect(s)| Cecil Massey, Reginald Uren
Other designers| Theodore Komisarjevsky
Other information
Seating capacity| 2,434

The former Granada Cinema, also known as the Ebenezer Building or Cathedral of Christ Faith Tabernacle, in Woolwich, South East London, was built as a large and luxurious cinema in the 1930s. It had a seating capacity of nearly 2500 and is now being used as a church hall. The building with its extravagantly decorated interior is a Grade II* listed building.

## History

[edit]

The south face of Woolwich's Granada Cinema

In the early 20th century, Woolwich was a thriving industrial and military town. In the mid-1930s there were several smaller movie theatres operating in Woolwich, when two leading companies in the business, Sidney Bernstein's Granada and Oscar Deutsch's Odeon, decided more or less simultaneously to establish large cinemas in the town. The first of the two to open in 1937 was the Granada Cinema; the Odeon opened four months later, just across the road.[2]

Granada by this time had a track record for building Britain's most glamorous cinemas. In Woolwich however, Cecil Masey (1881–1960) and Reginald Uren (1903–1988) built an outwardly rather severe theatre, but with a lavish interior by Russian-born designer Theodore Komisarjevsky (1882–1954). The builders, Bovis Ltd, started work in 1936 after the west end of Powis Street had been widened. It opened on 20 April 1937 with Good Morning, Boys and Lady Be Careful. Special guests at the opening ceremony were American actress Glenda Farrell and British comic actor Claude Hulbert.[3]

Initially the Granada Cinema mainly showed ABC or Gaumont films but after ABC built their own Regal Cinema in Woolwich in 1955, the Granada was left to play Gaumont and independent releases.[1] The theatre regularly played host to Christmas pantomimes and musical acts like Buddy Holly in 1958 and Roy Orbison with the Beatles in their famous 1963 tour.

The building as a Gala bingo hall

By the early 1960s the cinema was already in decline. On weekdays it was used for playing bingo and in 1966 it became a full-time bingo hall. The bingo hall was first operated by Granada and from 1991 until 2011 by Gala. The large Wurlitzer theatre organ, which had been played by Reginald Dixon,[2] was removed in 1996 and sold to the village hall in Tywyn, Wales. In 2011 the building was bought by Christ Faith Tabernacle Churches, a Pentecostal church founded in 1989 by the Nigerian preacher Alfred Williams. Where possible, the interior has been restored meticulously, new doors were made by the same company that made them in 1937, light fittings were commissioned to match the original lights, and new carpets match the 1930s design.[3] The building, now known as the "Ebenezer Building" or "Cathedral" of Christ Faith Tabernacle, has been a Grade II listed building since 1973. Since 2000 its status was upgraded to Grade II*.[1]

## The building

[edit]

### Exterior

[edit]

The first designs of the Woolwich Granada by Masey had the appearance of a classical movie theatre. After Uren was appointed as co-architect the design became much more modernist and rather Dudok-like. The layout on the awkward plot of land on the junction of Powis Street and Woolwich High Street resulted in what are essentially two joined buildings. The main hall is a brown brick block along Woolwich High Street, for which Masey had intended a relief with the name of the cinema. This part was originally hidden by another building. The elegantly curved asymmetrical front on Powis Street houses the vestibule with the former box office and the foyers, previously with a café-restaurant. Above the main entrance are five tall windows under a canopy and five more narrow windows above the canopy. To the right are five windows in a concrete frame that form a horizontal bar. The advertising tower originally had a full-height appendage that was neon-lit at night. At the top, an open area under a flat roof originally formed part of the illumination.[4]

* Woolwich High Street façade

* Woolwich High Street façade

* Powis Street façade

* Main entrance

* Advertising tower

### Interior

[edit]

The Gothic-inspired interior makes a strong contrast with the modern exterior. Together with the Tooting Granada interior, it belongs to the most elaborate purpose-built cinemas in the UK. It has been described as "reproducing the style and ambiance of a cathedral, a combination and distillation of Venetian Renaissance and Spanish Gothic, with distinct echoes of the Doge's Palace and the cathedral of Burgos".[5] At the time, the Architect & Building News wrote that it had "a complexity and lavish exuberance rare even in cinema decoration".[6] The opening brochure called it "the most romantic theatre ever built". The seating capacity in 1937 was 2434. After closing as a cinema, the building was used as a bingo hall and a church, but the interior has been largely preserved. The main stalls and balcony seating, which was removed in the 1960s, was replaced in 2013.

Five sets of entrance doors lead into the vestibule, decorated with pilasters. Three sets of doors with wrought-iron bars and cast-iron handles lead into the double-height foyer with galleries on three sides. The foyer has a coffered ceiling, a large central chandelier, four smaller ones and six pairs of wall lights, all in Gothic style. On the far side, a grand staircase leads to the galleries and the balcony seating area. The back wall is entirely panelled with gilded frames with rounded and pointed arches. The four outer bays are decorated with figures painted in Italian Renaissance style, probably by Vladmir Polunin (1880–1957).

The auditorium is also in a style partly based on Medieval and Renaissance architecture. It has elaborate coffered ceilings in red and green and five large chandeliers. The imposing ante-proscenium is divided into three sections, separated by pilasters. The central feature is a monumental Romanesque style arch with jambs made up of seven columns and a tympanum extending up into a pointed gable. The upper stages of the ante-proscenium are made up of Gothic gables and rows of niches and trefoils. Some panels are painted with representations of lions and unicorns (possibly also by Polunin).

The balcony foyer ("Hall of Mirrors") features trefoil-arched mirrors and mirror-faced pilasters on both sides of the elongated space. It has a pitched ceiling with fabric-like decorations in white, red and gold, and a row of French "teardrop" chandeliers. The balcony is reached through entrances with Gothic panelling, and on the other side, by two vomitories.[4]

* Detail grand staircase

* Hall of Mirrors

* Main hall

* Detail main hall

## See also

[edit]

* Granada, Tooting
* New Wine Church (the former Odeon or Coronet Cinema)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c 'Granada Woolwich' on cinematreasures.org.
2. ^ a b Saint & Guillery, pp. 74–76 (online text).
3. ^ a b Powell (2013)
4. ^ a b "Listed building 1212651". UK: Historic England.
5. ^ Richards, p. 21.
6. ^ Architect & Building News, 30 April 1937, p. 135

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Eyles, Allen, The Granada Theatres, Cinema Theatre Association, 1998
* Powell, Rob, 'Woolwich Granada: “The most romantic theatre ever built”', article on www.greenwich.co.uk, 20 October 2013 (online text)
* Richards, Jeffrey, The Age of the Dream Palace: Cinema and Society in 1930s Britain, Routledge & Kegan Paul, London, 1984 (online text)
* Saint, A., Guillery, P. (ed.), Woolwich – Survey of London, Volume 48, Yale Books, London, 2012 (online text Chapter 1)
* 'Listed building 1212651' on website historicengland.org.uk

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Granada Cinema, Woolwich.

* The Woolwich Granada 1937 Opening Souvenir Brochure
* Website about the Tywyn Wurlitzer, the Granada Woolwich theatre organ
* Website Christ Faith Tabernacle Churches

* v
* t
* e

Megachurches

Africa|

| Eastern|

* Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church
* Miracle Centre Cathedral
* United Family International Church
* Watoto Church

|

Southern|

* Doxa Deo Church
* New Covenant Ministries International

Western|

* Canaanland
* Deeper Life Bible Church
* Dunamis International Gospel Centre
* Faith Tabernacle
* International Evangelism Center - African Interior Mission
* Living Faith Church Worldwide
* Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries
* National Temple
* Redeemed Christian Church of God
* Synagogue Church of All Nations
* Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement
* Word of Life Bible Church

Asia|

| Eastern|

* Global Mission Church
* Myungsung Presbyterian Church
* Onnuri Community Church
* SaRang Community Church
* Shatin Baptist Church
* Suwon Central Baptist Church
* Yoido Full Gospel Church

|

South-
Eastern|

* Bread of Life Ministries International
* Cathedral of Praise
* Christ's Commission Fellowship
* City Harvest Church
* Day by Day Christian Ministries
* Faith Community Baptist Church
* Grace Assembly of God
* Graha Bethany Nginden
* Victory
* New Creation Church

Southern|

* Bethel Assembly of God Church
* Church of Signs and Wonders
* New Life Fellowship Association
* New Life Assembly of God
* Zünheboto Sümi Baptist Church

Europe|

| Eastern|

* Faith Church
* Emanuel Baptist Church of Oradea
* Embassy of the Blessed Kingdom of God for All Nations
* Hillsong Ukraine

|

Northern|

* All Souls Church, Langham Place
* Credokirken
* Christ Faith Tabernacle
* Freedom Church
* Hillsong Church UK
* Hope City Church
* Holy Trinity Brompton
* Kensington Temple
* KingsGate Community Church
* Kingsway International Christian Centre
* LIFE Church UK
* Livets Ord
* New Wine Church
* Relentless Church
* Renewal Christian Centre
* Soul Survivor

Western|

* Charisma Christian Church
* Impact Christian center
* International Christian Fellowship
* Christian Open Door Church

North
America|

* Casa de Dios
* Centre Street Church
* Fraternidad Cristiana de Guatemala
* New Life Church
* Metropolitan Bible Church
* Mision Cristiana Elim Internacional

| U

| M

* Bethlehem Baptist Church (MN)
* Cornerstone Church (IA)
* Crossroads (OH)
* Eagle Brook Church (MN)
* Eastern Star Baptist Church (IN)
* Elmbrook Church (WI)
* Family Christian Center (IN)
* First Baptist Church (IN)
* Ginghamsburg Church (OH)
* Granger Community Church (IN)
* James River Church (MO)
* Journey Church (WI)
* Spring Creek Church (WI)
* Substance Church (MN)
* Upper Arlington Lutheran Church (OH)
* Wooddale Church (MN)
* World Harvest Church (OH)

| IL|

* City First Church
* Community Christian Church
* The Crossing Church
* Harvest Bible Chapel
* Moody Church
* Parkview Christian Church
* Salem Baptist Church
* Wheaton Bible Church
* Willow Creek Community Church

|

MI|

* Faith Church
* Kensington Church
* Mars Hill Bible Church
* Renaissance Unity Interfaith Spiritual Fellowship
* Triumph Church
* Westwinds Community Church
* Woodside Bible Church

* Crossroads Community Cathedral (CT)
* Faith Fellowship Ministries World Outreach Center (NJ)
* The First Cathedral (CT)
* First Presbyterian Church (PA)
* LCBC (PA)
* Walnut Hill Community Church (CT)

| NY|

* Brooklyn Tabernacle
* Calvary Baptist Church
* Christian Cultural Center
* Emmanuel Baptist Church
* Greater Allen A. M. E. Cathedral of New York
* Hillsong NYC
* Times Square Church

|

* Chestnut Ridge Church (WV)
* Cross Church (AR)
* First Presbyterian Church (MS)
* Highview Baptist Church (KY)
* Pinelake Church (MS)
* Life.Church (OK)
* McLean Bible Church (DC)
* National Community Church (DC)
* NewSpring Church (SC)
* Relentless Church (SC)
* Seacoast Church (SC)
* Southeast Christian Church (KY)
* Southland Christian Church (KY)

| AL|

* Briarwood Presbyterian Church
* Church of the Highlands
* Faith Chapel Christian Center
* Frazer United Methodist Church
* First Baptist Church (Montgomery, Alabama)
* Gardendale First Baptist Church
* Hunter Street Baptist Church

|

FL|

* Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
* Bethel Church
* Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale
* Celebration Church
* Christ's Church
* Christ Fellowship
* Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church
* El Rey Jesús
* First Baptist Church, Jacksonville
* First Baptist Church, Panama City
* Segadores de Vida

GA|

* 12Stone
* Buckhead Church
* Church of the Apostles
* Ebenezer Baptist Church
* First Baptist Church, Atlanta
* First Baptist Church, Woodstock
* Free Chapel
* New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
* North Point Community Church
* Peachtree Presbyterian Church
* Perimeter Church
* Sherwood Baptist Church
* Victory Church

MD|

* Covenant Life Church
* First Baptist Church, Glenarden
* Greater Grace World Outreach
* Living Word International Christian Church
* Mt. Ennon Baptist Church
* Reid Temple A.M.E. Church

NC|

* Calvary Church
* Elevation Church
* Hickory Grove Baptist Church
* Northside Baptist Church
* The Summit Church

TN|

* Bellevue Baptist Church
* Christ Presbyterian Church
* Cornerstone Church
* Faith Promise Church
* First Presbyterian Church
* Germantown Baptist Church
* Mason Temple
* Second Presbyterian Church
* Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ

TX|

* Abundant Living Faith Center
* Beltway Park Church
* Berachah Church
* Experience Life
* Fellowship Church
* First Baptist Church
* First Presbyterian Church
* Gateway Church
* Grace Church Houston
* Green Acres Baptist Church
* Inspiring Body of Christ Church
* Lakewood Church
* Park Cities Presbyterian Church
* Prestonwood Baptist Church
* Second Baptist Church Houston
* Stonebriar Community Church
* The Potter's House
* Watermark Community Church
* Windsor Village United Methodist Church

VA|

* Bethany Baptist Church
* Fairfax Community Church
* First African Baptist Church
* Immanuel Bible Church
* Korean Central Presbyterian Church
* McLean Bible Church
* Thomas Road Baptist Church

* Central Christian Church (NV)
* Christ's Church of the Valley (AZ)
* Cornwall Church (WA)
* Dream City Church (AZ)
* King's Cathedral and Chapels (HI)

* Mission Community Church (AZ)
* New Hope Christian Fellowship (HI)
* Overlake Christian Church (WA)
* Real Life Ministries (ID)

| CA|

* Angelus Temple
* Bayside Church
* Bel Air Church
* Bethel Church
* Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
* The Church on the Way
* Crenshaw Christian Center
* Crossroads Christian Church
* Dream Center
* First African Methodist Episcopal Church
* Friends Church
* Grace Community Church
* Harvest Christian Fellowship
* Heart Revolution Church
* Mariners Church
* North Coast Church
* Peoples Church
* Redemption Church
* Rock Church
* Rolling Hills Christian Church
* Saddleback Church
* Sandals Church
* Sarang Community Church of Southern California
* Shadow Mountain Community Church
* Shepherd Church
* Skyline Church
* West Angeles Cathedral

|

CO|

* Colorado Community Church
* Flatirons Community Church
* First Presbyterian Church
* Impacto De Fe
* New Life Church
* Timberline Church

Oceania|

* Air Church
* Arise Church
* Bayside Church
* C3 Church Global
* Calvary Christian Church
* Citipointe Church
* City Impact Church New Zealand
* CityLife Church
* Crossway Baptist Church
* Destiny Church
* Edge Church
* Hillsong Church
* Hillsong Brisbane
* Horizon Church
* Influencers Church
* Inspire Church
* Planetshakers Church
* Riverview Church

South
America|

* Attitude Baptist Church
* El Lugar de Su Presencia
* Comunidad Cristiana Agua Viva
* Hillsong Church São Paulo
* City Church
* International Charismatic Mission Church
* International Grace of God Church
* Reborn in Christ Church
* Lagoinha Church
* Temple of Solomon
* World Church of God's Power

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template