The George Kent
Performance Hall

Click here for DIRECTIONS TO OUR HALL

The George Kent Performance Hall, formerly the Immaculate Conception Church, is an individual listing on the National Register of historic places. Built in 1886, the building was Westerly's first Roman Catholic church. Its beautiful granite foundation was constructed as a gift, after hours, by the skilled granite cutters for which Westerly was so justly famous. When the church was deconsecrated in 1969, the Chorus of Westerly began giving concerts there.

Recently, a major addition to the building was completed, with dressing rooms, offices, additional restrooms, and backstage access for the Chorus. The beautiful concert hall itself was changed by the welcome addition of air conditioning and fire code updates.

This is the only Performance Hall of its kind and size in the South County region. The acoustics of the building are outstanding and it is considered by some to be the finest small concert hall in New England. Musicians from across the country and abroad, including Rudolf Serkin, Yo-Yo Ma, Pete Seeger and Charles B. Fisk, have praised the Hall's acoustics. The upstairs Concert Hall seats 440 patrons. It is equipped with a Steinway grand piano and a three-manual Allen organ..

The Hall is accessible from the street level by stairs or elevator. The lower level of the building contains a large multi-purpose room with a commercial kitchen, offices and restrooms.

Renovations have been completed as the necessary funds were raised. The final stage of the Capital Campaign includes creating a maintenance endowment to help with the upkeep of the facility in the future. The recently completed addition to the building is approximately 3,300 square feet and will greatly expand the building's utility for the community as well as for the Chorus. It will give performers access to the risers and the stage from the rear of the building, provide dressing rooms and backstage restrooms, as well as two small multi-purpose meeting rooms which will permit several activities to take place at the same time, such as private/group lessons, study groups and lectures. The addition will also allow for the storage of instruments and the music library, which was historically housed off-site.

The Performance Hall is available for rental by other community organizations and individuals. This historic building is an essential part of the heritage of the citizens in the Westerly-Pawcatuck area. The Hall is not only the venue for Chorus performances, but is available to other community groups for concerts, lectures, private parties, receptions, weddings, and meetings. Rental information can be obtained through the Chorus office. Tel: (401) 596-8663 or e-mail us.