Geelong Synagogue facts for kids

The Geelong Synagogue is a building that used to be a synagogue, a special place of worship for people who follow Judaism. You can find it in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, at the corner of McKillop and Yarra Streets.

A talented architect named John Young designed this building. It was built in 1861 by a team called Jones and Halpin. Today, it's no longer used as a synagogue. Instead, it has been updated and now serves as offices. Because of its importance, it was added to the Victorian Heritage Register on September 14, 1995.

History of the Geelong Synagogue

The Geelong Synagogue is a very special building with a rich history. It shows off a unique architectural style called Italianate. This style was popular for buildings that looked like they came from Italy. The architect, John Young, was known for his diverse and interesting designs.

This building is important for understanding the history of the Jewish community in Geelong. It was their place of worship and a central part of their lives. The synagogue is also one of the older buildings in Geelong. It adds a lot to the look of the area around it.

Building the Synagogue

The first Jewish place of worship in Geelong was a wooden building. It was opened on June 1, 1854. However, the community soon needed a bigger and more permanent home.

So, the current stone building was planned. Its foundation stone was laid on July 22, 1861. Just a few months later, on December 1, 1861, the new synagogue was officially opened. The builders, Jones and Halpin, worked from designs by John Young.

Special Design Features

The Geelong Synagogue has many interesting design details. For example, the corners of the main front of the building have strong, decorated pillars. These pillars have special carvings and supports that hold up a unique broken pediment shape above them.

The entrance porch is also very grand. It has prominent stone blocks and arched doorways. Above the porch, there's a large, half-circle window. The side walls have recessed panels around each round-headed window. These windows have a beautiful pattern of glass and colored glass.

Inside, the building is simple but elegant. The apse, which is a rounded part at one end, is framed by a circular arch. This arch rests on pillars that look like the ancient Corinthian style. The building has been kept in good condition, both inside and out.

What the Synagogue Looks Like

The Geelong Synagogue is a single-story building with a pointed roof at each end, called a gable. At the eastern end, there's a rounded extension called an apse. The roof is made of slate, and the brick walls are covered with a smooth cement finish.

At the front, there's a rectangular porch with a flat roof. The roof of the main building forms an overhanging edge. The front also has strong pillars that give the impression of a triangle shape, called a pediment. These pillars have decorative blocks underneath them.

Above the entrance, there's a special window called a Diocletian window. It's a large, arched window divided into three parts. This style was common in older European architecture. The pillars on the building are decorated with simple, flat designs. They include a rectangular shape with a circle in the middle. This kind of decoration was often used in early Italian Renaissance buildings.

Inside the Building

Inside the synagogue, the ceiling is curved and made of stained wood. There's a semi-circular opening that lets light from the large Diocletian window shine in. Below this window, there's a balcony. Under the balcony, you'll find a small entrance area, a small room, and a staircase.

Even though the building is old, it has been well-maintained. It was once considered for demolition because of the cost of keeping it up and the small number of Jewish people using it. However, the building was saved and has been refurbished. It is now used as offices, keeping its history alive.