PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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The Jewish Synagogue is a Grade II* listed building situated in Catherine Street, at the rear of the Guildhall. It is the oldest Ashkenazi synagogue (i.e. those of central European origin) in the English-speaking world. Around the year 1740 some Hebrew families settled in Plymouth in Broad Hoe Lane. The Synagogue appears to have been built on a site adjacent to a spring that was used at that time for ritual washing. The land was leased from the mayor and commonalty of Plymouth in April 1762 to Samuel Chapman, who executed a deed of trust reciting that the ground was acquired by him 'for and at the expense of J J Sherrenbech and Gumpert Michael Emdon, elders of the Synagogue of the Jews'. It was completed just two years before the synagogue at Exeter. The foundation stone states that it was erected in the Jewish year 5522 with the aid of a £500 policy from the Sun Insurance Company. In the same year £300 was raised on mortgage 'to complete the buildings, edifices and erections now building thereon, and which is designed for a Jewish synagogue or place of worship for those professing the Jewish religion'. This lease was twice renewed before the freehold was acquired in 1834. In addition a Mr Solomon A Hart bequeathed £1,000 to the Jewish congregation. In 1869 a school for poor Jews founded with a £5,000 bequest from a Mr Jacob Nathan, who also left £1,000 to the congregation. The building is of Georgian design, built of brick and with semi-circular headed windows and a pitched roof. It has a latticed womens' gallery, which was extended in 1807, a beautifully carved wooden ark, an antique silver set of bells and old brasswork. Some seats for children were installed at the rear in 1811. The gallery was again extended in Victorian times and a new stair-case provided. Various members of the Synagogue have donated the beautiful windows. It is said that a clue to the origins of the workmen employed on the building can be gleaned from the stained and polished pine benches where the joints are typical of those used by naval craftsmen of the time. The Synagogue was refurbished after the Second World War. SEE ALSO Jewish Synagogue, Devonport.
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