The Old Church Theatre

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• Front doors at street level provide access to a straight wide staircase to the auditorium
• Rear door at street level provides access to rear staircase to backstage access
• Fire Exit door in auditorium can be used for loading if required

Parking

• Street parking is available on Elma Street on the North side of the building
• One (1) handicap accessible parking spot is available on the south side of the building
• One (1) oversize spot is available on the south side of the building

The auditorium provides a space that is typically used for film showings, presentations, concerts, recitals, theatre performances and weddings.

Amenities include:

• Fixed, raked seating
• Upright Kawai piano
• Elevated stage with curtained proscenium and large apron
• Blackout blinds on all windows
• Aesthetic wood blinds on all windows
• Retractable screen with permanent mount HD Projector
• House lighting array and sound

Typical uses include community events, potlucks or catered events, paint nights and group classes.

Amenities include:

• Flex room with cold bar
• Installed speakers and TV can be used for auditorium reference, or for independent use

The kitchen is often used as a green room for performers or for minor food preparation.

Amenities include:

• Full size refrigerator with integrated freezer
• Dual sink
• Coffee Maker

For almost a century, the brick church on the corner of Elma Street and Centre Avenue served as a gathering place for the Okotoks community - a place to worship, gain inspiration and where music and praise filled the rafters. Although no longer a church, the facility continued to be a gathering place for celebration and inspiration in its new role as the Old Church Theatre.

The building was originally the Methodist Church, built in 1906 at a cost of $5,100. It became the Okotoks United Church in 1917 when the Methodist and Presbyterian congregations joined together. As the town grew, so did the congregation and in 2002, members of the Okotoks United Church had outgrown their space and they made the difficult decision to put their beloved church up for sale.

The Okotoks Arts Council (OAC), together with the administrative support and driving spirit of the Town's Cultural and Historical Services Team Leader Tracie Ward, led the movement to purchase the former United Church and turn the facility into a theatre. The OAC contributed $39,000 to the building's purchase and renovation, and sought the assistance of other community groups to help raise additional funds. Several community not-for-profit groups contributed. The Okotoks and District Historical Society donated $61,000. Grants from Okotoks Family and Community Support Services, Calgary Foundation, Alberta Arts Touring Alliance, Arts Presentation Canada, Heritage Canada, and Community Initatives Program totalled $58,000. The Rotary Club of Okotoks donated $55,000. The Dewdney Players donated $7,000. At project completion, the purchase and renovation was valued at $360,000, including the donation of time. Once the purchase and renovation was complete, the OAC turned the building over to the Town of Okotoks to operate.

After an investigation, Town staff determined that the building's foundation was severely compromised, and in 2009 the building underwent a $1 million structural stabilization funded by three levels of government. The theatre opened to the public in November 2010, featuring The Dewdney Players' production of "Sorry Wrong Chimney." The Town organized an official re-opening that took place on the weekend of February 25th to 27th, 2011.

The space held the name Rotary Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) from 2002 to 2024 when it was renamed the Old Church Theatre.