The former home of the Melon Patch Theatre is currently being demolished, bringing a close to a nearly 70-year chapter of community theater in that location.

The building at 311 North 13th Street, which housed the Melon Patch Players since 1955, was sold to First Baptist Church of Leesburg when the theatre troop moved to The Tropic Theatre in downtown Leesburg. The former property will be part of the church’s expanded downtown campus, which is currently in the design phase.

Executive Director Dustin Lavine said he was surprised when he drove by and saw the demolition underway.

“I couldn’t believe it when I passed by,” Dustin says. “But I spoke with the people at First Baptist and the challenges they were having at renovating, so I completely understood.”

According to Lavine, the building was constructed in 1955 on the site of Leesburg’s first high school, which was built in 1892. Since 1951, the Melon Patch Players have produced around 400 live stage productions, with talent from across the Central Florida region showcased in song, dance, drama, and comedy. The venue also hosted numerous community events and offered a youth program that provided arts education.

Art Ayris, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, said the church is in the design phase for the downtown campus. The project includes tearing down four buildings and expanding both First Academy and church facilities. The church is known for its many community outreach programs that serve individuals and families of all ages, while also addressing critical needs in the broader community. Through their partnership with the Christian Care Center, the church also provides vital outreach services such as a pregnancy care center, children’s shelter, transitional housing for families, men’s and women’s recovery residences, a benevolence center for food and clothing assistance, a free medical clinic, and a job training program.

“They have good plans for that location,” Dustin says. “It’s just bittersweet to see it go.”