It is a very early custom-built cinema and the plain exterior design is very typical of several built in 1911 before the art deco designs of later cinemas became popular. It originally had an attractive wooden veranda (similar to the one on the house next door) and a curved gable at the front.

The proprietor was a pioneer cinema exhibitor who eventually became chairman of the North Staffs Cinema Exhibitors Association and also Lord Mayor of Stoke. The cinema opened on Monday 18th December 1911. The opening feature was the big epic "Zigomar" which was all of 3,200 feet so was bound to make a big impact! The pianist Mr Oliver Thorneycroft was considered very talented. The cinema seated 650 and this included a medium sized balcony. A popular feature was the Saturday matinee for children. The first was on 23rd December 1911 and included a free stick of Blackpool rock.

Programmes were changed on Mondays & Thursdays. The early adverts described the cinema as "well ventilated, with ample exits, and sprayed daily with Jeyes Fluid". Adult admission was 3d & 9d.

It closed as a cinema on 22nd January 1961 with the last film being "The Tattered Dress". Wolverton was not able to see "Doctor in Love" which had been advertised as the next week's attraction.

There was a very variable history from then on. It was a very popular Bingo hall for many years. Many people remember it as a Music Club venue in the 60's. After it closed as a bingo hall it had a rather mixed degree of success as a nightclub. There were problems with a nightclub venue among houses; the lack of parking also caused problems.

In 1999 the building was at risk of drastic redevelopment and the proposal was to replace it with flats. Wolverton Heritage Group was disturbed at the prospect of yet another early cinema building being lost. This building is the only one of this vintage left in Buckinghamshire. We took advice from The Victorian Society and Mr Richard Gray of Cinema & Theatre Association. We organised a Town Petition (with the support of local shops) so that local people could have their say. We were very grateful to Councillor Hilary Saunders for presenting our objections together with the petition. It was a great relief to us when our opposition was successful. We were very pleased that Councillor Bristow was very supportive of our calls for more respect of Wolverton's heritage and spoke out very strongly against the demolition of this building.

The interior has some very interesting support columns that are not at all typical of a cinema building. Maybe this had a railway connection, which would not be surprising in a railway town. The building is in superb order and includes a self-contained flat with patio roof garden. At the back the building is 3 storeys and the extension was built in the 1950's. The banqueting suite includes a kitchen and dumb waiter. There is also an interesting solid 1950's lift. Downstairs, the fine wooden dance floor is another attractive feature.

The building has now been sold to The Word of Faith Ministries and is now in use as a non-denominational Pentecostal church. This church transmits their lively services by satellite to many different countries. The choir (pictured below at the Square) are able to use the existing disco lighting as a backdrop.

We understand the Church is interested in the building also being used for community events. There will probably be many ideas that will be popular with both the Church and local residents.