Skip to main content

Where Gumbo Was: Liverpool's Princes Road Synagogue

 

Liverpool’s Princes Road Synagogue, home of the Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation, is surely one of the most opulent and influential synagogues anywhere, and not without reason. Like so many other religious monuments, it was built not only for worship, but to mark the status of its builders, in this case, the rising Jewish merchants and traders of Liverpool.

DSC08111DSC08135

And it was not alone: built in Liverpool’s Toxteth neighborhood when it was rapidly expanding with wealthy mansions, the Synagogue is within eyeshot of important buildings occupied by an Anglican parish, the Greek Orthodox cathedral and a Welsh Presbyterian chapel.

Congratulations to Traveling Canuck, who was able to solve the puzzle, and to Jonathan L, who came very close for reasons that will be clear by the end.

DSC08123DSC08115

While the families that made up the congregation are now scattered in suburban neighborhoods, the synagogue is still beautifully maintained, and proudly shown on guided tours, such as the one we went on. It’s also often used by families that return for weddings and other celebrations.

DSC08103DSC08136

When the congregation outgrew its previous building in an older part of town and began planning this monument, it turned to a pair of Edinburgh architects, William and George Audsley, who knew nothing about designing a synagogue. So their first step was a grand tour of Europe and the Middle East, gathering ideas and designs, and not only from synagogues.

DSC08101DSC08119DSC08120

The result, predictably, uses a variety of styles and elements, and it’s usually labeled Moorish revival. It was a startling result for the time, and if it looks familiar, it’s because it started a trend that’s influenced synagogues far and wide (as far as Sydney, in fact) and was nearly duplicated in the New West End Synagogue, Bayswater, London, by a congregation that bought the plans and designs and hired the Audsleys.

DSC08131DSC08132DSC08138

The congregation spared no cost in making their new building spectacular; it’s noted for its carvings and its gilding and its gloriously painted interior work, as well as the detailing of the exterior. It’s a Grade-I listed national treasure.

DSC08134DSC08144DSC08122

All in, it cost the equivalent of significant millions in today’s money—and opened with the construction cost already paid off by big contributions and a spectacularly successful fund-raising bazaar that raised about 20% of the cost in one day. The entertainment that day included the Coldstream Guards band and all the town’s dignitaries.

DSC08128DSC08140

As an Orthodox synagogue, it’s built for separate seating for men and women, but it has an unusual distinction. During World War II, the congregation’s traditionally all-male choir shrank drastically due to enlistment and conscription, and the congregation accepted offers from the absent chorister’s wives to take their places. After the war, it continued to be one of very few Orthodox congregations with a mixed choir.

DSC08104

Tours are available Monday through Thursday. In addition to the synagogue itself, after the 45-minute tour there's a small exhibition of the community's history. For more information from the synagogue's website, click HERE

DSC08106DSC08121DSC08124DSC08127DSC08130

A memorial to members of the congregation who died in World War IDSC08142Synagogue-001

Attachments

Images (27)
  • DSC08101
  • DSC08102
  • DSC08103
  • DSC08104
  • DSC08106
  • DSC08111
  • DSC08115
  • DSC08119
  • DSC08120
  • DSC08121
  • DSC08122
  • DSC08123
  • DSC08124
  • DSC08127
  • DSC08128
  • DSC08130
  • DSC08131
  • DSC08132
  • DSC08133
  • DSC08134
  • DSC08135
  • DSC08136
  • DSC08138
  • DSC08140
  • DSC08142
  • DSC08144
  • Synagogue-001

The best part of every trip is realizing that it has upset your expectations

Add Comment

Comments (2)

Newest · Oldest · Popular
Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×