Celebrate Christmas at Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center with 938 Church. Invite your friends and neighbors and come early for coffee in the cafe. There will be Christmas songs, a message of hope and a few fun surprises for the whole family along the way.
Make sure to register today!
TICKETS
LOCATION
226 N. High Street
West Chester, PA 19380
F.A.Q.
Is there space to spread out?
Yes! Uptown Theater can comfortably seat 250 people, so there is room to spread out with your family.
Will there be coffee and snacks?
Yes! We will have our cafe stocked with warm beverages and holiday snacks.
Is there parking available?
Yes, there is a parking lot, street parking, and a parking garage. Just look for the “938 church” signs.
I’d like to get tickets for a friend.
Can I do that?
Certainly! Just please register each individual person.
Is childcare offered?
Yes! Childcare will be offered. If you have any questions, please email rachels@938.church
So, what’s the story behind
Uptown! Theater?
In 1747, Benjamin Franklin formed the Associated Regiment of the Foot (the “Associators”) for the protection of settlers as they moved west from Philadelphia into what was thought to be hostile Indian territory. Men from the West Chester area joined the “Associators” in what would eventually become today’s BRAVO Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Over the period of time from then until now this, and all the previous National Guard units, have served in every armed conflict the Country has been engaged in.
In the early 1900’s a young graduate from Bucknell University, John C. Groff, came to West Chester to practice law. Recognizing his duty to America, Groff joined the Army and served in both the Mexican Border Campaign and World War I. Upon returning to West Chester after his WW1 service he was instrumental in the 1916 construction of the Armory on North High Street. The Armory was designed by Philadelphia architect Philip C. Johnson, who designed a number of armories in SE Pennsylvania. It was named the Major John C. Groff Memorial Armory shortly after his death in 1928.
In addition to providing quarters for the National Guard units, the facility has played an important role in the life of the West Chester community. This was anticipated when the Armory was originally built as evidenced by an article in the April 20th, 1916 local paper which wrote “Besides furnishing quarters for the local military organization, the armory will be rented for dances, conventions, suppers, fairs, etc.” In the 1940’s it was the site of the first Chester County Historical Society Antiques shows and it routinely hosted Saturday night dances, including one featuring the band of Spike Jones, Jr. Other organizations using the Armory included the Health & Welfare Council, Goodwill Industries, Kiwanis Clubs and the Civil Air Patrol.
In May of 2012, the Guard broke ground on a new facility in northeast Chester County and the historic Armory was declared excess and put up for sale. After the purchase of the Armory in December, 2015 by the Uptown!BravoTheatre, LLC, the roughly year-long construction project to rehabilitate the Armory into the Uptown!Knauer Performing Arts Center began in May 2016.