The building served as the sanctuary for the First Baptist Church until the congregation moved to a larger facility in the 1970s.
The theater was meticulously renovated in the 1980s to convert the religious space into a functional proscenium stage theater while retaining original decorative elements.
It is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The facility features a unique split-level seating arrangement necessitated by the building's historical footprint.
The venue is acoustically favored for acoustic music and chamber performances due to its original plaster and wood construction.
The McGlohon Theater is a 716-seat performing arts venue housed within the restored shell of the historic First Baptist Church in uptown Charlotte. Built in 1907, the structure maintains its original neoclassical architectural features, including the distinctive stained-glass windows and decorative plasterwork. As part of the Blumenthal Performing Arts campus, the theater serves as a space for intimate concerts, theatrical productions, and community performances. It is named in honor of jazz pianist and composer Loonis McGlohon, a long-time Charlotte resident. The venue's design preserves the intimate acoustic qualities inherent to its ecclesiastical origins. It is physically connected to the Spirit Square complex via an atrium.
From the center of the mezzanine looking down toward the stage to capture the integration of modern lighting with the historic church ceiling.
Check the balcony seating for a superior view of the historic stained-glass features.
Arrive early to explore the public art installations located in the connecting Spirit Square atrium.
Verify which entrance to use, as the main lobby is shared with other Blumenthal facilities.
Do not mistake the McGlohon entrance for the main Belk Theater entrance; they are separate buildings within the Blumenthal network.
The venue operates on a per-event basis and is typically closed to the public outside of scheduled performances.
Smart casual attire is standard for most performances; avoid loud conversation during shows due to the intimate acoustic design.
