The building was originally constructed in 1925 as the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
The Side Door jazz room was converted from a former church Sunday school area to create an intimate club-style environment.
The venue's pipe organ, while non-functional for traditional service use, remains a structural feature of the main hall's design.
St. Petersburg College acquired the property in 2007 to preserve it as a community cultural asset.
The main auditorium's arched windows and high ceiling are original to the 1920s construction period.
The Palladium at St. Petersburg College is a multi-disciplinary performing arts venue housed within a repurposed 1920s Methodist church. The facility features two distinct performance spaces: the 833-seat Hough Hall and the 174-seat Side Door cabaret theater. The venue is owned and operated by St. Petersburg College and functions as a non-profit cultural resource for the community. The acoustics in Hough Hall are noted for their clarity, originally designed for spoken word and musical performances in the church sanctuary. The building retains original architectural elements, including stained glass windows and high vaulted ceilings. It hosts a diverse range of programming, including jazz, classical, blues, opera, and dance. The Side Door provides an intimate setting specifically designed for jazz and acoustic music performances. The venue serves as a hub for local arts organizations and national touring artists.
The exterior facade at 5th Ave N, which highlights the historic church architecture and stained glass.
Choose Side Door seating for an intimate, club-like experience, or Hough Hall for larger scale productions.
Check the venue's online event calendar well in advance as performances are sporadic and scheduled seasonally.
Arrive early to view the original architectural details before house doors open.
Do not wait until the day of a show to buy tickets, as popular performances frequently sell out.
The venue operates on a seasonal performance schedule, often reducing events during the summer months.
Business casual is standard; remain quiet during performances as the acoustics carry sound throughout the hall.
