Wilson Road Synagogue

The Wilson Road Synagogue was the largest synagogue in Sheffield in England for much of the twentieth-century.

Wilson Road Synagogue
Religion
AffiliationJudaism
RiteIndependent Orthodox
Year consecrated1930
StatusConverted to church
Location
LocationSheffield, England
Shown within Sheffield
Geographic coordinates53.3696°N 1.4988°W / 53.3696; -1.4988
Architecture
Architect(s)Mansell Jenkinson
TypeSynagogue
StyleNeo-classical
Capacity970

Sheffield had a Jewish population from the 1780s, and its first synagogue was built in 1851 on Fig Tree Lane in the city centre. However, communal disputes led to a second congregation being established on North Church Street in 1914. This group constructed a synagogue on Wilson Road, near Hunters Bar, in 1930.[1]

Sukkah, with roof part-open

The building was designed by Mansell Jenkinson in a classical style, featuring a portico in the Doric order. It is built of brick, with faience dressings, and also has notable internal features, including a granite ark, choir gallery and hardwood pews.[2][3] The sukkah is in a neighbouring building, designed so that its flat roof can be slid open.[4]

During World War II, the city centre synagogue was destroyed by bombing, and much of its community came to worship at Wilson Road. However, they later established a new building, Kingfield Hall, in Nether Edge. The Jewish population of the city reached about 1,500 in the 1950s, but then entered a long decline. In the 1960s, the two communities joined together, and in 2000, the resulting independent congregation moved to a new building at the Kingfield Hall site.[5] The Wilson Road Synagogue was subsequently converted into a church.[2]

Both synagogue and sukkah were listed at grade II in 1992, along with the boundary wall and gates.[3][4][6]

References
  1. Armin Krausz, Sheffield Jewry, p.128
  2. Ruth Harman et al, Pevsner Architectural Guide: Sheffield, p.262
  3. Historic England. "Synagogue, Wilson Road (1270715)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  4. Historic England. "Succah 2 metres south west of synagogue (1254575)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  5. "History of our community". Sheffield Jewish Congregation and Centre. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
  6. Historic England. "Boundary wall and gates to synagogue, Wilson Road (1067334)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
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