Temple Beth Israel (Hartford, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Temple Beth Israel (1876) |
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The former synagogue, now cultural center,
in Hartford, in 2010 |
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation |
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| Ecclesiastical or organisational status | |
| Status |
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| Location | |
| Location | 21 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut |
| Country | United States |
 Location in Connecticut
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| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | George Keller |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style |
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| Date established | 1843 (as a congregation) |
| Groundbreaking | September 28, 1875 |
| Completed | 1876 |
| Construction cost | $35,567 |
| Specifications | |
| Direction of façade | North |
| Capacity | 600 worshipers |
| Length | 85 feet (26 m) |
| Width | 60 feet (18 m) |
| Dome(s) | Two |
| Materials | Red brick; brownstone |
Temple Beth Israel is a historic building in Hartford, Connecticut. Its name means "House of Israel" in Hebrew. People sometimes call it the Charter Oak Temple. It used to be a Jewish synagogue and then a Christian church. Today, it is a cultural center.
The building is located at 21 Charter Oak Avenue in Hartford. The original Jewish group, Congregation Beth Israel, started in 1843. This group is one of the oldest Jewish congregations in Connecticut. It is also one of the largest Reform Jewish groups in New England. They have about 900 families and 2,000 individual members. Since 1936, the congregation has been in West Hartford.
The famous architect George Keller designed the building. He used the Romanesque Revival style. It was finished in 1876. This makes it the oldest building in Connecticut built specifically as a synagogue. In 1978, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historic places in the United States. The building was almost torn down, but people saved it. Now, it is home to a local cultural center.
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About the Temple Beth Israel Building
The old Temple Beth Israel building is in the Sheldon-Charter Oak neighborhood of Hartford. It sits on the south side of Charter Oak Avenue. It is just east of Main Street and west of Charter Oak Park. George Keller designed this synagogue, and it was built between 1875 and 1876.
Building a New Synagogue
In 1843, the Jewish congregation wanted to build a synagogue. They asked the State of Connecticut for permission. The State then passed a law that allowed Jewish groups to build synagogues. This was a big step for the community.
The first stone of the building was placed on September 25, 1875. A local newspaper, the Hartford Courant, wrote about it. They said it was the first time a synagogue's cornerstone was laid in Connecticut. Many people came to watch, about ten to twelve thousand! The streets and nearby buildings were full of onlookers.
What the Building Looks Like
The building is two and a half stories tall. It is made of red brick with a brownstone foundation. It has a pointed roof. On the front, there are two towers. Each tower has an eight-sided dome on top. The windows and entrances are shaped with round arches. This is a common feature of the Romanesque style.
This building is special because it shows Keller's unique style. He was a leading architect in Hartford during the late 1800s. The temple was used by the Jewish congregation until 1935. Then, it was sold for $31,000 to a Baptist Christian group called Calvary Temple. They used the building until 1974.
Saving a Historic Place
After 1974, the building was empty for several years. In the late 1970s, the city thought about tearing it down. But Jewish groups from all over Connecticut worked together to save it. Their efforts were successful! Today, the building is the Charter Oak Cultural Center. It hosts many cultural events for the community.
In 1978, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Later, in the mid-1990s, it was one of fifteen Connecticut synagogues added to this list. This was part of a special project to recognize many important synagogues at once.
More to Explore
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hartford, Connecticut
- Oldest synagogues in the United States
