Maitland Synagogue facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maitland Synagogue (former) |
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Former synagogue in Maitland, 2018
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | Closed |
| Year consecrated | 1879 |
| Status | Commercial use(s) |
| Location | |
| Location | 47 Church Street, Maitland, City of Maitland, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
 Location in New South Wales
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | John W. Pender |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival style |
| Groundbreaking | 24 February 1879 |
| Completed | 1879 |
| Official name: Maitland Synagogue (former); Synagogue; The Old Synagogue | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 376 |
| Type | Synagogue |
| Category | Religion |
| Builders | James Pritchard |
The Maitland Synagogue is a special old building in Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. It used to be a synagogue, which is a place of worship for Jewish people. John W. Pender designed it, and James Pritchard built it in 1879. People also call it The Old Synagogue. This building is so important that it was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999. This means it's protected because of its history.
Contents
History of the Maitland Synagogue
For many years, Jewish people played a big part in building up the Maitland area. As more Jewish families moved there, they decided they needed their own place to worship. So, they bought land on Church Street to build a synagogue.
Building the Synagogue
John W. Pender was the architect who designed the synagogue. He drew up different plans in 1878. The building you see today was the simpler and likely cheaper design. John Pender also started a famous architecture company called Pender & Associates.
The first stone of the synagogue was laid on 24 February 1879. A man named Lewis W. Levy did this special ceremony. At that time, Morris Benjamin was the leader of the Jewish community. James Pritchard built the synagogue in 1879 for the many Jewish families living in Maitland.
Opening and Closing
The synagogue officially opened on 7 September 1879. Two important religious leaders, Rev. A. B. Davis from the Great Synagogue in Sydney and Rev. S. A. Goldstein from Maitland, led the opening ceremony.
However, in the 1890s, there was a tough economic time called a depression. Many Jewish families moved away from Maitland. By 1898, there weren't enough people to keep the synagogue open, so it closed its doors.
What Happened Next
After closing as a synagogue, the building was used for many different things.
- First, it became a private school.
- Then, it was used by a group called a Masonic lodge.
- Around 1936, the original wooden floor was changed. A new floor was put in that was better for dancing. During World War II, soldiers used the building as a dance hall for entertainment.
- During this time, parts of the inside, like the gallery (a raised seating area) and the Ark (a special cabinet for holy scrolls), were removed.
- In 1946, a large opening was made in the east wall. New parts made of timber and iron were added to the east and south sides of the building.
- Later, the building was even used as a car repair shop.
Protecting the Building
By the 1980s, the building was in poor condition. There was a chance it might be torn down. But people realized how important it was.
- In 1981, an order was put in place to protect it.
- In 1983, a temporary order was made to save the building. The owners wanted to knock it down to build something new. But experts believed the building could be fixed up and used again.
- Finally, in 1985, a permanent order was placed to protect the building forever.
In 1986, the old synagogue building was changed into a credit union. Today, in 2018, it is used by a company that helps people with their health at work.
The Maitland Jewish Cemetery is another important Jewish site in Maitland that is also protected.
Design and Features
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The Maitland Synagogue is a small building made of solid bricks. It has a slate roof and a tall, curved ceiling inside. It was designed in a style called Romanesque Revival style. This style uses rounded arches and strong, simple shapes.
The building has fancy decorations made of cement. These include:
- Corbelled arcades: these look like rows of arches supported by brackets.
- Columns: tall, round supports.
- Quatrefoil windows: windows shaped like a four-leaf clover.
- Round-headed arches: arches with a rounded top.
Inside, the building still has its original cedar wood windows. They are in good condition. Some parts of the walls have been changed over the years by different owners. The building is about 8 meters (26 feet) wide and 13 meters (43 feet) long. In 1999, it was reported to be in good physical shape.
Why the Synagogue is Important
The Maitland Synagogue is very important for understanding the history of New South Wales.
Historical Significance
The Jewish community played a huge role in making Maitland a successful trading center in the late 1800s. The Maitland Synagogue was built just two years after the much larger Great Synagogue in Sydney. It is the oldest synagogue building still standing outside of Sydney in New South Wales. This shows how strong the Jewish community was in Maitland.
Architectural Beauty
The Synagogue is also an important part of the look and feel of Church Street. It fits well with other historic buildings nearby, like Grossmann House, Brough House, and the beautiful St Mary's the Virgin Anglican Church and its Rectory.
