Opened: 1919 as a theatre space. The building had been around since at least 1884 when it was the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church. The location was on the south side of the street between Gough and Octavia, two and a half blocks west of Van Ness. It evidently escaped damage in 1906.
This undated view of the theatre that was located by Jack Tillmany originally appeared with this caption: "The Gothic architecture of this remodeled church adds to its distinctive and intimate character."
An October 22, 1919 article from the Examiner about the debut of the building as the Players' Club Theatre. It was also known as the New Little Theatre and, from about 1924 onward, as the Players' Guild Theatre.
"Most Interesting Theater in the West." It's a 1920 ad located by Ken McIntyre for a production of "Hedda Gabler."
Ken included it in a Facebook thread about various San Francisco
theatres in 1920 on Ken's Movie Page.
Closing: The venue was destroyed by fire on December 9, 1926.
As a last minute emergency replacement, the group moved their productions to the theatre space at the Women's City Club, 465 Post St., a venue later known as the City Theatre. Beginning October 7, 1929 and running into 1930 the Players' Guild presented shows at the Sutter Theatre. In February 1931 they moved to the Community Playhouse at Sutter and Mason, now known as the Marines Memorial Theatre.
A view from across the street. It's an undated photo by Lothers & Young Studios that appears with "The big screen, no not your TV: over 100 years of San Francisco Theaters," a March 2016 SF Gate photo portfolio.
More information: Jack Tillmany's Arcadia Publishing book "Theatres of San Francisco" can be previewed on Google Books. It's available from Amazon or your local bookseller.
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