Chicago Temple Building

Silk Road Rising is the professional theatre-in-residence at The First United Methodist Church at The Chicago Temple, an honor they have held since the spring of 2003, forging a secular, non-sectarian relationship between the venerable Loop congregation and their multi-cultural theatre company.

The permanent performance venue is a beautiful, fully-equipped, 80-seat flexible black box theatre in Pierce Hall, located on the lower level of The Historic Chicago Temple Building, in the heart of Chicago’s burgeoning Loop theatre district.

The Historic Chicago Temple Building was designed by the renowned architectural firm of Holabird & Roche. Completed in 1924, the building has long been heralded for its architectural beauty and magnificent spire. Built of gray and white Bedford stone and mixing the grace of a French Gothic cathedral with the practicality of an American skyscraper, the Temple became, when first dedicated, the tallest building in Chicago. In addition to housing the church, the parsonage, the Chapel in the Sky, commercial space, and of course, Silk Road Rising, the 27-story Chicago Temple building also houses 17 floors of private offices.