Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Synagogue (Hartford, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Synagogue |
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The former synagogue, now church, in 2014
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation |
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| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | |
| Ownership | Greater Refuge Church of Christ |
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| Location | |
| Location | 370 Garden Street, Hartford, Connecticut |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Connecticut
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Berenson & Moses |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| Date established | 1905 (as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1922 |
The Beth Hamedrash Hagodol Synagogue is a special building in Hartford, Connecticut. It used to be a synagogue, which is a place of worship for people who follow Orthodox Judaism. Today, it is a church called the Greater Refuge Church of Christ.
The Jewish community that built this synagogue started in 1905. They finished building this beautiful Romanesque Revival style temple in 1922. Later, in 1962, the Jewish community joined with another group and moved to a new location.
The building was empty for a while. Then, in the 1980s, it became a Christian church. Because of its history and unique style, this building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This means it is recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
Building Design and History
The former Beth Hamedrash Hagodol building is in the Clay-Arsenal area of Hartford. It is a two-story building made of brick. It has a special design style called Romanesque Revival.
The front of the building has two square towers that stick out a little. Each tower has two narrow, round-arch windows on every floor. Stairs lead up to three entrances, each under a rounded arch.
Above the entrances on the second floor, there is a round window. This window has a Star of David design in the middle. On either side of this round window are two more round-arch windows.
How the Synagogue Came to Be
The Jewish community that built this synagogue began in 1905. They first met on Wooster Street in Hartford. In 1921, they joined with another Jewish group called Sharah Torah.
Together, they decided to build this new synagogue in 1922. They wanted it to be closer to where their members lived. Two Jewish architects from Hartford, Julius Berenson and Jacob Moses, designed the building. This was one of two synagogues they designed in the area.
In the 1960s, this Jewish community merged with other groups again. They formed the United Synagogue of Greater Hartford and moved to West Hartford.
A Historic Landmark
The Beth Hamedrash Hagodol synagogue building is very important. It was one of fifteen synagogues in Connecticut added to the National Register of Historic Places. This happened in 1995 and 1996.
Today, the building is owned by the Greater Refuge Church of Christ. It continues to be a place of worship, but for a different community.
See Also
