King Arts Complex facts for kids
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Pythian Temple and James Pythian Theater
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| Location | 861-867 Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus, Ohio |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1925 |
| Architect | Evans & Plato; LeVeque, L.L. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 83004295 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1983 |
The Martin Luther King Jr. Performing and Cultural Arts Complex is a special old building in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio. It was first built in 1925. Back then, it was known as the Pythian Temple and James Pythian Theater.
This building is so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This list includes places that are very important to the history of the United States. In 1987, the building was updated and renamed the King Arts Complex. It stopped being used for a short time in 2019, but community leaders worked hard to bring it back to life as an arts center in 2021.
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Building History
The Pythian Temple was designed in a style called Colonial Revival. The architect was Samuel Plato, an African-American designer. This building is his only known work in Columbus.
Early Days and Purpose
The building was paid for by the Knights of Pythias. This was a Black fraternal organization, like a club for men who supported each other. The temple opened in 1926. It was a big place that could hold about 1,000 people. It had a theater, shops, offices, and rooms for meetings.
The Pythian Temple quickly became a very popular place for entertainment in the neighborhood. Many famous performers came to play there. These included music legends like Cab Calloway, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. The Cotton Club Dancers also performed on its stage.
Becoming a Historic Landmark
Because of its important history and beautiful design, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 25, 1983. This helped protect it as a valuable part of history.
Renovation and New Name
In 1987, the temple got a big makeover. An architecture firm owned by African-Americans, Moody Nolan, worked on the project. They combined the temple with the nearby Garfield Elementary School. After this renovation, the complex was given a new name: the Martin Luther King Jr. Performing and Cultural Arts Complex. This was done to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a famous leader in the Civil Rights Movement.
Saving the Arts Complex
In 2019, the King Arts Complex building was no longer being used. Some parts of it were even put up for sale in 2020. People in the community were worried that this important building might be lost.
In July 2021, a Black-led nonprofit group called Maroon Arts Group stepped in. They made an agreement to buy the temple from its owners. This group wanted to save the building because the community really wanted it to remain an arts center. Thanks to their efforts, the building is now back to being a lively place for arts and culture.
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