New Iberia's Historic Grand 10 Theatre to Become a Church

A significant chapter in New Iberia's history is closing as another is set to begin with news of the iconic Grand 10 Theatre, a longstanding staple in Iberia Parish, being repurposed as the new home of 'First Community Church'.

According to our media partners at KATC, Pastor Jacob LeBlanc made the announcement on Sunday, Oct. 22, detailing the church's plans for the space. The Grand 10 Theatre, located at 1000 Parkview Dr., New Iberia, will not only serve as a place of worship but will also function as a community space. This decision follows the recent closure of Celebrity Theater Broussard 10, marking the second transformation of a former theater in the region.

"We know this is a great space for our city, great location, tons of space for us," said Senior Pastor Jacob LeBlanc, who recently signed a lease for the space, allowing his congregation of approximately 250 members to grow. LeBlanc envisions the Grand 10 Theatre evolving into a multi-purpose hub for the Iberia Parish community, offering a variety of services.

Among the proposed amenities are a food bank, a community closet for free clothing distribution, resume-building workshops, adult classes, and parenting courses. "We'd love to be able to build the space where we can have a food bank, we can have a community closet where people can come and find clothes for free," expressed LeBlanc.

The transition carries personal significance for LeBlanc, a New Iberia native who recounted his cherished memories at the theatre. "I grew up here, I grew up in this theatre. The first movie I ever watched was right here, it was 'The Jungle Book' when I was 5 years old," he shared. "We're not gonna be changing up the way that the auditoriums look. So, when you walk in and you come to experience a service here, you're going to have those same memories."

The Grand 10 Theatre has remained closed for some time, with operating hours reduced to weekends even before its closure. Despite the change in function, the essence of the theatre remains, fostering a sense of nostalgia and community connection.

The grand reopening of the renovated space is scheduled for Sunday, January 28th, ushering in a new era for the beloved landmark of New Iberia.