Temple Theatre

415 Market Street, Camden, NJ

Camden's first true theater, the Temple Theater, opened in 1892 as a Masonic building. Before it existed, Camden residents had to take a ferry across the Delaware River to see first‑class theatrical productions.

The stage attracted many leading performers of the era, including Julia Marlowe, Fred Frear, Annie Myers, Mrs. John Drew, Sidney Drew, McKee Rankin, Isadore Rush, J.K. Emmett, Annie Pixley, and Charles B. Hanford, among others. In 1893 Julia Marlowe's Shakespearean repertoire sold out for eight consecutive nights, and Harrigan's Irish comedy and vaudeville also drew full houses. A popular attraction in the 1890s was Uncle Tom's Cabin; during one run, promoters even staged a three‑round boxing match at intermission between the Australian champion and Battling Joe Choynski.

The Temple served as the meeting place for Camden's Masonic community until 1913, when a new Masonic Temple was built at 31 North 4th Street. The building later housed the Camden Commercial College and continued operating as a movie house as late as January 1928.

Camden Lodge No. 293 of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks was instituted on January 24, 1895, with members that included judges, lawyers, physicians, merchants, manufacturers, artisans, and city and county officials; the lodge's organization meeting took place on the Temple's third floor. Labor unions in Camden also used the Temple occasionally for large meetings.

The Temple Theater was eventually demolished to make way for the United States Post Office and Court House now located at the corner of North 4th and Market Street.