Butte Bible Fellowship, located in the former Cinema 3

There has been an interesting trend in Chico. When a movie theater closes, a church will sometimes move in.

• The first instance was when Calvary Chapel of Chico moved into the building previously occupied by Movies 10. The stadium style seating made for an ideal layout for the pastor to stand at the front of the room (in front of the former screen) while the congregation sat in the seats rather than pews. The building still has the look of a multiplex, with the marquee still out front, although it now has times for the various weekly services rather than movie times.
• A while later Butte Bible Fellowship took over the vacant building that once housed Cinema 3. For a while this building, much like at Calvary Chapel, looked like a movie theater from the outside. A few remodels and changes later, and an outsider may not even know that there was once a three screen movie house where the worshipers spend their Sunday mornings.
• Although only a temporary situation, El Rey Theatre was home to services of Bidwell Presbyterian Church. No physical changes were made to the building, as in the previous examples, since it was not a permanent move. Then on January 23rd, 2011, Bidwell began a new service at the El Rey that is targeted toward young adults.