Goshen landmark now under new management
Mar. 22—GOSHEN — What was once the site of the birthplace of a Hollywood legend is now the site of Goshen's newest event venue.
The Temple Venue, formerly the Masonic Temple, located at 301 S. Fifth St., was recently purchased by Tim Hochstetler, a local entrepreneur and former associate professor of music at Indiana University — South Bend.
"That's part of my attraction to this place," Hochstetler said on Friday. "I'm a music and antique guy, and my favorite antiques are old buildings."
Hochstetler, who lives in Goshen, is the owner of Ignition Music Garage, TG Music, Mimsy Toys and the Goshen Antique Mall. He was walking by the temple one day when he noticed a group of Masons gathered outside.
"I've always been curious as to what was in here, and they were, 'Do you want a tour?'" Hochstetler said.
They showed him the theater room, and Hochstetler asked then if they would ever sell the building.
"They said they would never sell the building, but last June (2023), I walked by and saw a 'for sale' sign," Hochstetler recalled.
Originally built in 1927, the temple is located on the May 30, 1896 birthplace site of film director, producer and screenwriter Howard Hawks, who's works include "Rio Bravo," the original "Scarface" and others.
The bronze front doors, installed in 1928, remain to this day, and all of the light fixtures in the building were hand crafted in Italy, when it was originally built. The building has three levels and measures out at 18,000 square feet.
"There's nothing like that here in Goshen," he said of the bronze doors.
Hochstetler wants the facility, which officially reopened March 1, to be available for use for weddings, receptions, quinceañeras, which in Hispanic culture is the celebration of a girl's 15th birthday, corporate events, art exhibits, concerts, parties and others.
"It's stuck in 1927, and that's what we want," Hochstetler said. "You're kind of taken back in time."
Closed as of July 17, 2023, Hochstetler immediately began renovating the place — by himself. As of Friday the bottom two levels were done, but he is still working on the upstairs theater room. He doesn't want to modernize the temple, but notes that there are some changes which are needed, such as a new roof and a fire escape. Therefore, he is seeking out other investors and donations in order to make upgrades.
"I love giving tours of the place," he said. "I was completely in shock when Interra said they would finance."
Hochstetler is especially hopeful about the theater, about using it to its full potential.
"Once we get another fire escape for the theater, capacity will be almost 600 people," he said.
Originally from Chicago, Hochstetler moved to Goshen as a teenager with his parents, who are Mennonite ministers, graduating from Bethany Christian High School in 1993 and later studying at Goshen College. He and his wife Meg have six children.
For more information about the Temple, including tours, contact Hochstetler at 574-349-3334, or visit www.thetemplevenue.com.
Steve Wilson is news editor for The Goshen News. You can reach him at steve.wilson@goshennews.com.
