Agreement to develop former Christian Science Church / Bisnett Building
The City of Pendleton is entering an MOU with the Elgin Opera House to sell the building at 13 SW Byers Avenue, known as both the former Christian Science Building and the Bisnett Building.
The facility at 13 SW Byers Ave. was built as a church in 1926 but has remained vacant in recent decades. To encourage its development, the Bisnett family donated the building to the City of Pendleton in December 2023. The City went through a public input process and opened a Request for Proposals to develop the building. Out of the proposals received, the selection committee chose the one submitted by the Elgin Opera House.
“The City is excited to welcome the Elgin Opera House to Pendleton after years of searching for a location to open another theatre venue,” City Manager Robb Corbett said.
On Tuesday, the Pendleton City Council authorized City staff to move forward with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Elgin Opera House. That MOU outlines the actions both entities will take to facilitate development of the building as a theater space, and the agreement is contingent on both parties fulfilling their obligations. Under the agreement, the City of Pendleton will construct an ADA ramp, waive planning fees, and apply for an Oregon Main Street Grant to help fund building improvements; the Elgin Opera House will purchase the building for $10,000, fund and make all improvements to the building and immediately occupy the building to support a summer theater program.
The timeline for the building to be open to the public is contingent upon the Elgin Opera House being able to obtain funding to make improvements. The City will retain a Right of First Refusal to buy the building for $10,000 plus the cost of improvements, should the Elgin Opera House sell the building in the future.
Elgin Opera House Executive Artistic Director Terry Hale said he is excited about the potential.
“We are thrilled that the leaders of Pendleton are granting us the opportunity to establish a presence in downtown Pendleton,” Hale said. “The Elgin Opera House has made many wonderful friends in Pendleton over the years, and we are excited to be able to serve and entertain them in their own hometown. We look forward to making many new friends, and we hope that the community will support us in our efforts here. We are hoping to form a strong collaboration between the Elgin Opera House theater community and the Pendleton theater and downtown community.”
The Elgin Opera House expansion in Pendleton will be known as Pendleton Theater Company. Pendleton resident Karen Taylor is co-leading the Pendleton Theater Company effort.
“I have been in about 10 productions at the Elgin Opera House. Even though it is a very long drive to make six days a week, it has always been well worth it. The people I have been in plays with there are like my family,” she said. “I have been privileged to spend time with some of the most amazing kids in the region. Something magical happens when you’re in an Opera House show, when everyone’s hard work comes together to create something that the audience really connects with. I am so excited that we get to bring that here to my hometown and share that experience with cast members and audiences in Pendleton.”
The next steps in the process are for the City Attorney to draft sale agreement documents.
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March 6, 2025