Bonstelle Theatre Facts for Kids

This page is about the former synagogue, now theater. For the current synagogue, see Temple Beth El (Detroit).

Quick facts for kids Significant dates

Temple Beth-El
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property


Location	3424 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan
Built	1902
Architect	Albert Kahn; C. Howard Crane
Architectural style	Beaux-Arts
Part of	Midtown Woodward Historic District (ID08001106)
MPS	Religious Structures of Woodward Ave. TR
NRHP reference No.	82002911
Added to NRHP	August 3, 1982
Designated CP	November 26, 2008

The Bonstelle Theatre is a famous building in Detroit, Michigan. It used to be a synagogue called Temple Beth-El. Now, it is a theatre owned by Wayne State University. The building was built in 1902. It is located on Woodward Avenue. This historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Soon, the Bonstelle Theatre will be updated and become part of a new hotel.

Building a New Temple
About the Building
From Temple to Theatre
Recent Plans
Images for kids
See also

Building a New Temple

In 1899, Rabbi Leo M. Franklin started leading services at Temple Beth El. He thought a new temple on Woodward Avenue would make Detroit's Jewish community more visible.

In October 1900, the community decided to build a new temple. They bought land for it in April 1901. They asked Albert Kahn, a member, to design the building.

Construction started on November 25, 1901. A special cornerstone was placed on April 23, 1902. The first services were held in the chapel on January 24, 1903. The temple was officially opened on September 18–19, 1903.

About the Building

The temple was designed in the Beaux-Arts style. This style was inspired by old Roman and Greek temples. The architect, Albert Kahn, designed the outside to look like the Pantheon in Rome.

The building has a large dome over its main area. There are also gabled sections on the north and south sides. The front of the building used to have a porch. However, this part was removed in 1936. This happened when the city made Woodward Avenue wider.

From Temple to Theatre

In 1922, the Temple Beth El community built a new synagogue further north. They sold their old building to Jessie Bonstelle for $500,000. Jessie Bonstelle was a theatre manager.

Bonstelle hired architect C. Howard Crane to change the building into a theatre. She named it the Bonstelle Playhouse. The inside was decorated in an "Italian style" by Myron G. Barlow.

In 1928, the Bonstelle Playhouse became the Detroit Civic Theatre. In the 1930s, it was known as the Mayfair Motion Picture Theater.

In 1951, Wayne State University started renting the building. They used it for their theatre group. In 1956, the university bought the building. They renamed it the Bonstelle Theatre to honor Jessie Bonstelle.

Recent Plans

In 2019, Wayne State University agreed to lease the theatre. A company called The Roxbury Group will develop it. The Bonstelle Theatre will be updated and connected to a new hotel. This hotel is expected to open in 2024.

The theatre's last planned show was Mary Poppins in April 2020. But it was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. So, the last performance by Wayne State University at the Bonstelle was A Christmas Carol in December 2019. Wayne State University's theatre shows are now at the new Hilberry Gateway.