Murray Hill Theatre

The Murray Hill Theatre is a Christian music venue located in Jacksonville, Florida. It is an independent, 501(c) non-profit charitable organization that is not affiliated with any church or denomination.[1]

Murray Hill Theatre
Exterior of venue in 2009
Address932 Edgewood Ave S
Jacksonville, FL 32205-5341
LocationMurray Hill
OwnerMurray Hill Ministries
Capacity598
Construction
OpenedJanuary 8, 1949 (1949-01-08)
ArchitectWilliam Marshall
Website
Venue Website

It first opened as a west side movie theater in 1949 until becoming a Christian music venue in 1995. It is the longest-running live music venue and nightclub in Jacksonville.[2]

Overview
Murray Hill Theatre in 1949.

Murray Hill Theatre first opened in 1949 with Mayor W. Haydon Burns making an appearance for the opening gala. The first movie featured at the theatre was Red River. In 1994 the theatre became an industrial goth club called The Dungeon. In 1995 Tony Nasrallah purchased the theatre and transformed it into a Christian nightclub as a safe alternative to the bar and nightclub scene today. The Murray Hill neighborhood in 1995 was also in decline with crime rates rising and low property values on the rise. Nashrallah's vision of transforming the Murray Hill Theatre into a Christian nightclub was not only for the youth but also as the start of revitalization of the Murray Hill neighborhood.[3][4]

Since 1995, the Murray Hill Theatre has put on almost 2,000 live music events and concerts hosting the likes of Switchfoot, Jars of Clay, P.O.D., Family Force 5, the Almost, John Mark McMillan and countless other artists. Not only does it have music acts but also an annual City-Wide Prom[5] and Swing Night. Other annual events include its anniversary show to commemorate its long existence as a music venue and the Scream the Prayer Tour. Murray Hill Theatre is considered to be the nation's premier Christian rock venue.[6]

In July 2015 a coffee shop called Vagabond Coffee opened in the previously-occupied Murray Hill Theatre Cafe which is still owned by Murray Hill Ministries.[7]

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References
  1. Pelt, Doug Van (July 16, 2011). "Murray Hill Theater to throw special celebration event". HM Magazine. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  2. "Murray Hill: 10 years as a faith alternative". The Florida Times Union. 2005-08-16. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  3. Strickland, Sandy (August 21, 2015). "Good News: Murray Hill Theatre went from the Dungeon to faith-based nightclub". The Florida Times Union. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  4. Whitehead, Christy (August 25, 2004). "9 years of faith, helping youths". The Florida Times Union. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  5. "Once Upon a Time Murray Hill's City-Wide Prom". WTLV. 2012-05-14. Retrieved 2015-08-01.
  6. Pelt, Doug Van (July 16, 2011). "Murray Hill Theater to throw special celebration event". HM Magazine. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  7. Bull, Roger (July 17, 2015). "Vagabond Coffee opening in Murray Hill". Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
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