Beth-El Zedeck Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Beth-El Zedeck Temple
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Beth-El Zedeck Temple
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 Location in Indianapolis
Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 3359 Ruckle St., Indianapolis, Indiana |
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| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Vonnegut, Bohn & Mueller |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 100004362 |
| Added to NRHP | August 28, 2019 |
The Beth-El Zedeck Temple is an old and important synagogue building in Indianapolis, Indiana. It's located in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood. This building was finished in 1924. It was first home to a group called Congregation Beth-El. Later, in 1928, they joined with another group, Ohev Zedeck. This temple is the oldest synagogue building still standing in Indianapolis!
The temple is a two-story building made of brick. It has a flat roof and a fancy design called neoclassical. Look for the cool terra cotta decorations and pedestals along the roof. The front entrance has a special decorative canopy over the doors. Inside, the second floor has a large worship area, and the first floor has classrooms.
In 2019, the Beth-El Zedeck Temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historic site.
Contents
A Look Back: The Temple's History
How did the Beth-El Zedeck Temple get started?
How the Congregation Began
Congregation Beth-El started in 1915. A small group of Jewish people began meeting in a rented house in Indianapolis. The next year, more people joined, so they rented a bigger house. In 1921, the group officially became a congregation.
Building a New Home
The congregation chose a spot at 34th and Ruckle Streets for their new synagogue. This area had a growing Jewish community. The new building was officially opened on December 12, 1925. This was the first night of Hanukkah. The Governor of Indiana, Edward L. Jackson, even came to the opening ceremony!
Who Used the Building?
Congregation Beth-El Zedeck used this building until 1958. Then, they moved to a new place further north. After that, another group called Congregation B'nai Torah used the building until 1967. More recently, a Christian church used the building.
Saving the Temple: Restoration Work
What happened to the temple building over time?
Indiana Landmarks, a group that helps save old buildings, bought the temple in 2014. The roof had a big hole, which let water damage the inside. Indiana Landmarks raised money to fix the roof. In 2016, a brick part added to the north side of the building was removed. This helped with plans to fix up and reuse the building.
