There’s no tiered stadium seating.
No uniformed attendants with name tags.
No high-tech acoustics.
But that’s the nature of the Bijou Art Cinemas.
“It’s not too fancy, it’s not too polished and it’s a little bit worn in,” theater manager Louise Thomas said about the theater. “It’s not perfect.”
Its imperfections have been luring indie film lovers to the Bijou for nearly 25 years. The charming attributes are the result of the theater being housed in a former church that makes for a one-of-a-kind experience in the cinema world.
The off-white Spanish mission-style building on East 13th Avenue has seen sermons, marriages, memorial services, movies and office workers since it was built in 1925. It has gone through three owners and was originally the home of the First Congregational Church of Eugene.
The building has also been a funeral home and now serves as office space and a cinema house, making up the Willcox Building. It’s named after the University of Oregon architecture dean who designed the church, W.R.B. Willcox.
Evidence of the church is consistent throughout the building’s interior. Copper lights hang from beams in theater one, where the screen hangs from an altar. A vaulted ceiling sits above five church windows on each side.
Of course, we can’t forget about the movies. The theater focuses on bringing alternative films to Eugene that otherwise would not play.
“We show intelligent films. We respect our audience,” Thomas said.
Films that have played at the Bijou since its opening in 1980 range from classics like “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1980) to low-budget films like “Clerks” (1994) to documentaries such as “Bowling for Columbine” (2000).
Like the movies, everything about the theater is alternative.
Moviegoers won’t find aspects that sometime ruin the movie experience at traditional theaters. “We try not to advertise too much. We don’t show Coke ads,” Thomas said.
Instead, films start off with a slide show that mixes photographs and local sponsors.
Concessions consist of organic fruit juice, organic popcorn, ice cream, coffee, bagels, soda and candy.
Customer service is also personal at the Bijou.
“I want the customer to feel at home here. I want them to feel like they can ask for something if they think it’s too hot or too cold, if the sound isn’t turned up enough. I want them to feel (the) staff is approachable.
“Except not so much at home that they chat in the theater,” Thomas said with a chuckle.
Thomas started working at the Bijou selling tickets and concessions as a 21-year-old student at the University of Oregon. She left in 1999 but returned in 2001.
“I love it here. I love the building. It really matters to me what I do for a living. I’m not plugged into some corporate world. It makes me feel like I’m doing something worthwhile,” she said.
Thomas said she feels a connection to the place because of the distinctive building, personal experiences and the job itself.
“I grew up here in a way. I met a bunch of boyfriends here,” she said.
The Bijou offers showings from Thursday through Saturday for $7; Sunday through Wednesday for $5; matinee showings before 6 p.m. are $4; late-night shows after 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday are $4; and Sunday late night shows are $3. Late-night shows typically feature local films.
Those interested can call the Bijou at 541-686-2458, visit www.bijou-cinemas.com or stop by the theater at 492 E. 13th Ave., four blocks west of campus between Mll and Ferry streets. Parking is available at the theater or at the Women’s Care Center at 13th Avenue and Patterson Street.

[email protected]