Uncovering a community treasure
Jessica Tingley in the green room — where performers wait before a show begins — at The Pearl Theater in Bonners Ferry. Tingley is the volunteer president of The Pearl’s working board, who along with other supporters of the theater, raised more than $3,000 during Idaho Gives to pay the theater’s bills while it is closed temporarily due to COVID-19. Money is needed to pay for the reconstruction of the bell tower and for new paint on the exterior of the 126 year-old building.
The ceiling of The Pearl Theater’s green room is plastered with playbills and posters from various bands, plays and performances.
Carolyn Testa bought the old church building on Ash Street in Bonners Ferry nearly 10 years ago and immediately went to work on a major overhaul of the 1,250 square-foot historic building to fulfill a community need for a performing arts center. It now has an enviable sound system and an inviting interior and what visiting performers call “good energy.”
The Pearl Theater was originally a Roman Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry when it opened in 1894. After many iterations, the church was resurrected and renovated into a community theater. Its board of directors is concerned about the condition of its roof and siding. Presently the theater is staying afloat with monies donated by its supporters through Idaho Gives.
Photos by SUSAN DRINKARD
The Pearl Theater brings a variety of entertainment to Boundary County
BONNERS FERRY — The Pearl Theater is aptly named.
Standing on the hill just off the highway since 1894 is the community’s treasure — an historic building transformed into a real gem, especially for Bonners Ferry, a community without a performing arts center until nearly 10 years ago, when Carolyn Testa toured what was the Community Fellowship Church...
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