Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

WILKES-BARRE — The dining portion of the City Market and Cafe on Public Square was standing room only Monday evening, as more than 30 guests filled the space to learn about the current — and future — status of the Irem Temple.

The informational meeting and fundraiser was one of several being held by members of the Irem Temple Restoration Project. Headed by campaign director Christian Wielage, the organization, he said, is holding the meetings to foster public interest in the building, as well as to remain transparent with plans for the space and attract prospective donors.

Located on North Franklin Street, the 109 year-old temple was once the hub for Irem Shrine members, and is said to be a national focal point for Moorish Revival architecture. However, fading membership and funds caused the Shriners to close the building in the 1990s. It has sat vacant ever since.

In 2005, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce purchased the lot in 2005 with plans to restore the building.

“They (the Chamber) had a plan, they had a bunch of funding lined up for it, and then 2008 happened and, like many other projects, it all fell apart,” Wielage said.

If the group’s plan works, Wielage said the Chamber would be willing to give the building to the restoration group, along with a possible $200,000 to $300,000 to continue with the project.

Besides Wielage, key volunteers in the project include Wilkes-Barre Councilman Tony Brooks, Gallery of Sound co-owner Joe Nardone Jr. and Keystone Solar CEO Alex Flack.

Wielage currently resides between Dallas and White Plains, New York, and is the CEO of business budgeting and performance review software comapny Plan Guru, as well as Harvey Guitars in Wilkes-Barre. He said that he first thought of the Irem Temple after thinking of a place that could locally hold a large concert without seating.

Now a year later, he and his team are spearheading the efforts to save the historical landmark.

Forming a partnership

While the original floor plan of the 6,000-square-foot main hall had a flat layout, over the years it was reconstructed at a slant to accommodate theater and other artistic groups. Wielage detailed plans to convert the flooring back to a flat surface and remove the seating so that it can host a wider variety of uses.

The group has set up a fund through the Luzerne Foundation, with a goal of restoring the Main Hall for multi-venue use such as concerts, weddings, markets, sporting events and more.

For those voicing concerns over having two concert venues in such a close proximity to each other, Wielage said the Irem Temple and F.M. Kirby Center would attract two very different types of performers.

“There would be zero overlap, you would never steal a show from the Kirby,” he said, adding that the booker for the Kirby, Will Beekman, would also book for the Irem Temple.

“There’s nothing else like this in the country, there’s nothing else like this,” he said.

Showing blueprints on a television during his powerpoint presentation, he explained to audience members the plans for various parts of the building, which he said could be worked on in various phases. Along with the main hall, prints included the basement, second floor and dome ballroom.

In ‘tremendous shape’

When questions arose about the current condition of the building, Wielage said that a request for proposals was issued through the Chamber of Commerce and a number of architects and engineers were brought in to evaluate the space.

“The roof looks awesome. The roof is not leaking,” he said. “And other than that, from a first glance, everyone said they were very optimistic of what they saw going into the building for the first time.”

The group is currently trying to raise $100,000, which would go to an architect to draw up plans for a construction company that would begin work on the building, as well as to repair any immediate threats or issues to the structure and to properly secure the space. Currently, it was said that a little more than half of the goal has been raised to date.

“For what the building’s gone through, it seems to be in tremendous shape,” he said.

Another possibility for the Temple is to renovate part of it into a museum featuring some of Luzerne County’s most prominent history.

“I think that if we as a community properly leverage our history — potentially with this building being the center focal point of all that — this could be a huge drive for economic activity in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Wielage said.

A national initiative

Once the initial $100,000 is raised and the OK is given to begin construction, Wielage said the space will become a nonprofit, and further funding initiatives will continue to complete the main hall and, later, begin other phases and areas of the building.

And when Wielage talks about funding, he means a national effort.

With a heavy online presence, Wielage believe that funding sources could not only come from grassroots efforts, but national platforms as well.

Considering the historical significance of the building — along with the fact that it originally belonged to the Irem Shiners — Wielage hopes that word will spread about its restorative efforts and that organizations, community members, and even Irem Shrine members themselves will want to help preserve the structure. He said he will also be looking into various grants from local, state and federal government agencies.

“Given the very, very unique nature of this building, that there’s a really tremendous opportunity to get some 21st-century type funding,” he said. “There’s over 2 million Masons in the country, there’s over 650,000 Shriners in the country. If we could get them to all to kick in ten bucks, we can save the building.”

Meeting attendee Pam Langdon said that she first was inside the Irem Temple when the Boston Store (now Boscov’s) used to hold fashion shows there. She said she’d like to see the building preserved, and believed there’s a general interest in saving the structure within the community.

“I think it’s good, I think there’s a real interest,” she said. “The more information they can get out, the better.”

Irem Temple Restoration Project member Christian Wielage provides an overview of the project during an informational meeting and fundraiser at City Market and Cafe on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Monday evening.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TTL122716IremTemple_1.jpg.optimal.jpgIrem Temple Restoration Project member Christian Wielage provides an overview of the project during an informational meeting and fundraiser at City Market and Cafe on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre on Monday evening. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Irem Temple Restoration Project volunteer Polly Harvey, left, talks with Laurie Gunshore and her son, Chris, both of Harding, before the an informational meeting.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TTL122716IremTemple_2.jpg.optimal.jpgIrem Temple Restoration Project volunteer Polly Harvey, left, talks with Laurie Gunshore and her son, Chris, both of Harding, before the an informational meeting. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

About two dozen people listen to a presentation on the Irem Temple restoration project.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TTL122716IremTemple_3.jpg.optimal.jpgAbout two dozen people listen to a presentation on the Irem Temple restoration project. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Wielage talks with a reporter before the informational meeting and fundraiser.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TTL122716IremTemple_4.jpg.optimal.jpgWielage talks with a reporter before the informational meeting and fundraiser. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

An image of the Irem Temple on North Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre is shown on a monitor during the informational meeting.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_TTL122716IremTemple_5.jpg.optimal.jpgAn image of the Irem Temple on North Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre is shown on a monitor during the informational meeting. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

By Marcella Kester

For Times Leader

IF YOU GO

Four more informational sessions about the Irem Temple are planned:

• 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4 via online platform GoToMeeting.

• 2 p.m. Jan. 14 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 35 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre.

• 12 p.m. Jan. 17 via online platform GoToMeeting.

• 6 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Westmoreland Club, 59 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. A $50 admission fee includes food and drinks.

Those who wish to learn more about the project, or become involved, may visit the group’s Facebook page, Irem Temple Restoration Project.

Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or on Twitter @TLnews.