Temple Gemiluth Chessed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple Gemiluth Chessed |
|
|---|---|
The former synagogue, in 2008
|
|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism (former) |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Synagogue (1892–1986) |
| Status | Closed; abandoned |
| Location | |
| Location | 706 Church Street, Port Gibson, Mississippi |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Mississippi
|
|
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Bartlett and Budemeyer |
| Architectural type | Synagogue architecture |
| Architectural style | Moorish Revival |
| General contractor | J. F. Barnes |
| Date established | 1870 (as a congregation) |
| Groundbreaking | 1891 |
| Completed | 1892 |
| Construction cost | $7,000 |
| Materials | Red brick |
Temple Gemiluth Chessed was a special Jewish place of worship, called a synagogue, in Port Gibson, Mississippi. Its name means "Acts of Loving Kindness" in Hebrew. Built in 1892, it was home to a Reform Jewish community.
This synagogue is very important because it is the oldest Jewish congregation in Mississippi. It is also the only building in the state built in the unique Moorish Revival style. The Jewish community that built it started in 1870. They were immigrants from German states and a region called Alsace-Lorraine.
Over time, many people moved away from Port Gibson to bigger cities. Because of this, the Jewish community became very small. The synagogue finally closed its doors in 1986.
The History of the Synagogue
The Jewish community in Port Gibson began in the 1840s. These early settlers were Ashkenazi Jews who came from parts of Germany and Alsace-Lorraine. Many of them started out as peddlers, selling goods from place to place.
In 1870, the community created the Port Gibson Jewish cemetery. They also formed a group called the Hebrew Benevolent Society. This group bought the land for the synagogue in 1887 for $300. The synagogue building itself was finished in 1892.
At its busiest, around the early 1900s, there were about 50 to 60 Jewish families in Port Gibson. Most of the men worked as merchants, selling goods, or as cotton brokers, dealing with cotton.
As the towns along the Mississippi River became less busy in the late 1900s, the Jewish community in Port Gibson also got smaller. Younger generations moved to larger cities for more opportunities. Because of this, the synagogue closed in 1986.
The community donated their Torah (a holy scroll) and other important items to the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. This museum is now in New Orleans.
The synagogue building was almost torn down for new construction. However, people who were not Jewish bought the building. They wanted to save it and have kept it safe.
What the Synagogue Looks Like
The outside of the Temple Gemiluth Chessed is very interesting. It mixes different styles. You can see a Moorish-style keyhole doorway. Above this doorway, there is a Russian-style cupola (a small dome-like structure). The windows in the tower that holds the dome also have the Moorish keyhole shape.
The main part of the building is made of brick. The windows on the outside look like simple arched windows. But when you look at the inside, you can see how clever the builders were.
Inside, the stained glass windows are shaped like Moorish keyholes. These colorful windows are set into the arched openings. This was a smart and affordable way to make the building look Moorish without needing expensive, fancy brickwork. The special area for the aron kodesh (where the Torah scrolls are kept) has a beautiful horseshoe arch.
Learn More
- History of the Jews in the United States
- List of the oldest synagogues in the United States
