The Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace is set for renovation; spare its historic charm
With new high-rise office and residential buildings sprouting up all over downtown West Palm Beach, there remains a golden opportunity for our city to protect one of its prized historic architectural gems: the former First (United) Methodist Church, more recently known as the Harriet Himmel Theatre for Cultural and Performing Arts in CityPlace. You can help make this a reality if we act quickly and take the actions described below.
On April 23 the West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Board voted unanimously to initiate the process to have the 98-year-old former First Methodist Church designated as an historic/landmark property, providing it protection from demolition or exterior changes not in line with the U.S. Department of Interior standards.
More on the Himmel: History prevails; iconic Harriet Himmel Theater granted renovation to serve new generation.
The current owners, The Related Group, have filed a permit application seeking to completely remove the grand staircase at the north entrance to what was the church sanctuary. Its removal would irreparably harm the architectural integrity of this beautiful building.
Here are three things those who want this building to be saved can do:
More on the Himmel: Will one of West Palm Beach's oldest cultural landmarks be stripped of historic charm?
1. Share your thoughts on what this historic structure means to you and why you want it designated as historic. Email to me at mywordsmith@bellsouth.net by Friday, May 24, your memories and photos of attending the church or theatre, and how it positively impacted the history, culture and social fabric of our city. Your testimonial will be included with others as evidence in pursuing the historic/landmark designation.
2. Complete a two-question survey, gauging public support for historic designation/protection. Access the survey at: https://www.wpbdna.com/2024_dna_landmarking_survey
3. Attend the Tuesday, May 28 West Palm Beach City Commission Meeting at 5 p.m. in City Hall, 401 Clematis St. Park in the Banyan Street Garage accessed off Banyan Blvd. at S. Dixie Highway. Your parking ticket can be validated.
I, along with many, many others, have fond memories associated with this building, where my three children were baptized and attended proms when it became the Harriet. I have been a member of the church since 1980 and our congregation is still vibrant and continuing to serve the community as the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches, now located at 900 Brandywine Road in West Palm Beach.
It is not too late to see the integrity of this important historic building in our city preserved for generations to come. From housing 1928 hurricane survivors for 11 months in the church fellowship hall, to aiding Cubans fleeing Castro by starting a Cuban congregation in 1963, to being a founding congregation for CROS Ministries, which continues to serve the hungry in our community 45 years later, to hosting meetings of Neighborhood Housing Services which help stabilize the now thriving neighborhoods of Grandview Heights and Flamingo Park, to being the sacred site for countless weddings, baptisms, funerals, concerts and high school baccalaureate services – as well as cultural events during its lifespan as The Harriet – this structure has been a strong thread in the social and cultural fabric of our city for nearly 100 years.
This heritage demands to be respected by having the building designated historic and protected from potential demolition or mutilation. As one church member who is now 85 and has attended the church since birth said, “They saved the Courthouse – now let’s save God’s House!”
Margie Yansura is a public relations consultant and longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of West Palm Beach, now United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm Beach must preserve Himmel Theater's historic charm
