• The nonprofit organization Heart of High Springs is a strong candidate to revitalize and run the theater.  The Heart of High Springs is committed to the local community, evident in our efforts to preserve the town's heritage and foster a sense of belonging among its residents. Our Mission of community engagement and cultural enrichment align with a vision to revitalized theater as a space for artistic expression, social connection, movies, music and community. Once again, the Priest will contribute to the vibrancy and purpose of our Historic Downtown Buisness district.

    The Heart of High Springs possesses a track record of successful management of community projects and initiatives, showcasing their capacity for effective leadership and organizational excellence. The Board is a wonderful mix of leadership with long-term residents, business owners, downtown property owners, and a growing network of volunteers, supporters, and collaborators further bolsters our ability to bring the revitalized theater to life and ensure its sustainable operation for years to come. With their passion, expertise, and genuine care for the well-being of High Springs, Heart of High Springs is undoubtedly the right organization to oversee the revitalization and management of the beloved community theater, infusing it with new energy and purpose while honoring its rich history and significance.

  • The Heart of High Springs, was organized in 2019 as a registered 501(c)(3) organization.  Our goal is to support projects and events that deepen the cultural, economic development, arts and historical appreciation of High Springs, Florida.

    One of the most transformative initiatives championed by The Heart of High Springs was the community mural project. This ambitious undertaking resulted in the creation of ten stunning murals that adorn walls throughout the town. Each mural tells a part of High Springs’ rich history, contributing to a sense of place and a shared cultural identity. These murals not only beautify public spaces but also serve as visual narratives that educate and inspire both residents and visitors alike.

    The Heart of High Springs has the High Springs Art Walk hosted by local arts shops and shops. This event showcases local artists and craftspeople and promotes community engagement and supporting the local economy through the arts. Furthermore, the organization has created the annual Art Fair on the Green, an event that transformed the town’s main park into a vibrant hub of artistic activity, drawing together artists, performers, and community members in celebration of local creativity and craftsmanship.

    The Heart of High Springs is committed to enhancing the town’s welcoming atmosphere. The organization is currently working to replace and upgrade the community’s welcome signs. These new signs are not merely functional; they are designed with artistic elements that reflect the character and charm of High Springs, created locally and offer a warm greeting.

    Membership in the local Chamber of Commerce underscores The Heart of High Springs' commitment to community collaboration and economic development. The organization aligns itself with local businesses and stakeholders, ensuring that their efforts in cultural and historical preservation integrate with broader economic objectives.

    The Heart of High Springs continues to grow and be a dynamic voice in promoting the cultural heritage and collective identity of High Springs. The organization's initiatives—from supporting arts events to enhancing town aesthetics—demonstrate a dedicated approach to building a cohesive community where history and culture are not only remembered but celebrated daily.

Priest Theater

The Priest Theatre,” has quite the history. It was built in 1910 for vaudeville shows in High Springs, Florida by William Jefferson Priest, who also owned the Priest Ford Motor car dealership.

 It was used for storage for the Priest Ford Motor dealership for a while when traveling vaudeville shows ceased. However, after much research into the architecture and construction of the building, we found that the original purpose of the tall, cavernous building was for entertainment. The building includes a large open lobby and also a large auditorium that seats 240 people, along with a balcony, sloping floors in the main auditorium, a main entrance from the front, and a side door entrance that led to the balcony, a balcony restroom, lobby restrooms for men and women, a complete raised stage including an arched opening with two great columns on both sides of the stage and stairs on opposite sides of the stage that led to the actors’ dressing rooms.

Eventually, vaudeville and live performances were replaced with silent movies and music; usually, a piano was used as accompaniment. Then in 1927 silent movies upgraded to “talkies” with the first commercially successful one being The Jazz Singer. As time progressed, people were enjoying the cinema and Hollywood was growing into a huge business. By the 1950’s, the Priest Theatre’s venue included up to five different movies each week.

In 1986, Janice and Bobby Sheffield bought the Priest Theater and their family ran the theater until 2020 when the Covid pandemic shut down the movie industry.  Before the Pandemic, the Priest was the oldest operating movie theater in the State of Florida.

Post Covid a number of structural concerns forced the theater to cease operating.  Until 2020, the Priest was the longest continually operating theater in the state of Florida.  Efforts to preserve this building and prepare it for a new purpose are ongoing.

The great-grandchildren of the Sheffields helped paint this mural and the artists put their names on the “newspaper” in the mural.   This building was home to the High Springs Herald for many years and the illustration of the newspaper was added at the request of the building owner, Prohibition Pizza.

History

The Theatre’s rich history has long been a part of the community. We are looking to restore it to its original glory with the help of local businesses and private donors.