Priest Theatre

11/29/2023

Good news!

11/28/2023

The commission voted 4-0 to proceed with process of the appropriations grant.

Line Item #3
3. DISCUSS, CONSIDER AND ACT ON PRIEST THEATER.

If you have concerns and cares for the restoration of the Priest Theatre, then come out tonight and be heard. Let's make sure that we take great consideration for the 1M,40k appropriations grant that was awarded to the City of High Springs.

07/31/2023

https://www.alligator.org/article/2023/07/community-members-support-rebuilding-local-movie-theater

The High Springs community lined up for public comment at the City Commission meeting July 13. The item on the docket is the latest local love story: the bond between High Springs and the Priest Theatre. The theater closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained closed ever since, losing....

07/19/2023

State provides $1 million to use.

07/11/2023

Almost one year ago we were saddened to announce the structural plight of the Priest Theatre and today I can say that the Priest Theatre still stands and could have a brighter future. Many citizens and supporters from all over have reached out giving their gracious suggestions and ideas to save and restore the historic building. We appreciate you all and the "hope" that you’ve shared for saving the Priest.
An appropriations grant was submitted to the State for funding to acquire, restore and preserve the historic Priest Theatre. The City of High Springs has been awarded this grant to bring back the building that so many have loved and cherished. The start of this restoration project began with the request and promotion of this grant. Help us take the next steps of making it undeniably known to the City Commission of High Springs that we support preserving and restoring the Historic Priest Theatre next Thursday, July 13th at 6:30pm.
The agenda/agenda packet is online at the City of High Spring’s website or the link below.
https://www.highsprings.gov/city-commission/page/commission-meeting-26
Hope to see you all there!

03/23/2023

03/20/2023

The Priest Theatre was slated to be demolished in 2022. But the treasured building still stands today. The family who owns it would like to sell it and hopes it can remain a theater or other entertainment venue.

09/22/2022

Just a few corrections…

-We are not seeking a spot on the Agenda for the High Springs City Commission. We actively pursued city/county for grants 6months ago, but that is not the case now. The building has been offered for sale in case there is someone or some entity interested in buying it to save.
-$400,000 for repairs had nothing to do with the city or manager, rather the estimates for repairs to the existing two roofs and ceiling by General Contractor. Once to that number, we as a family decided that it wasn’t for us. The movie business would never return that investment.
-The theatre is still privately owned by the Sheffield’s & Alligood’s

-I could say a lot more on other posts that have been very misleading, untruthful, & down right disgusting but it doesn’t deserve an answer. Those types of post are not worth my time for a correction or answer. Those of you who know our family and the Priest, well then, you know…

By the way this is a great article to read! Thanks Averi!!!

Thanks and That’s all folks!!!

In the next month, Florida could officially lose what once was its oldest operating movie theater, and Leslie Evans’ favorite place to get a concession-stand pickle.Evans, a 63-year-old High Spring resident, was among the many heartbroken on Aug. 25 when the Priest Theatre took to its Facebook

08/26/2022

As I opened Facebook today, this memory appeared in my personal feed this afternoon. Today was the day that I was going to attempt writing a post about the beloved Priest Theatre in High Springs, FL. I chose to open the ten year old post, while thinking how ironic and fitting that this post appear this very day, of all days. I began reading it, bringing back some great memories held close to my heart for family, good times, laughter, hard work weekend after weekend, precious friendships, a love of movies, and of course the nostalgic, sentimental old Priest Theatre. I haven't had the heart and courage in past weeks to render the news that the Priest Theatre is in active structural collapse. Our family has taken great consideration and exhausted every course of action to try and save the old building within our means. It is sad for us to announce that after evaluations by structural, architectural engineers, and general contractors, we affirmed the project to be quite extensive, and financially unattainable. Over the next 30 days, prior to the demolition project beginning, If anyone is still interested in purchasing the Priest Theatre and taking on this restoration project we will consider selling. We are asking the original price of $350,000 with the contingency that the building stay in the entertainment venue/business.