Garnethill Synagogue
| Garnethill Synagogue | |
|---|---|
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| Basic information | |
| Location | 129 Hill Street, Garnethill, Glasgow |
| Geographic coordinates | 55°52′1.81″N 4°16′3.94″W / 55.8671694°N 4.2677611°W |
| Affiliation | Orthodox Judaism |
| Rite | Nusach Ashkenaz |
| Status | Active |
| Website | http://garnethill.org.uk/ |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Synagogue |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival (exterior), Byzantine Revival (interior) |
| Groundbreaking | 1879 |
| Completed | 1881 |
Garnethill Synagogue is the historic 'cathedral synagogue' of Scotland. It is located in Garnethill, Glasgow.
The synagogue was built in the period of 1879-81. It was designed by John McLeod of Dumbarton, in conjunction with London-based architect Nathan Solomon Joseph of the United Synagogue. McLeod designed a number of churches and public buildings in Glasgow and the west of Scotland, including the Women’s Christian Association in Bath Street, Glasgow.
The building's exterior is Romanesque revival. The basilica-form, orientalist style interior features Byzantine revival detail. As the main building stands between east and west, the apse in the interior stands towards the east facing Garnet Street. This accords with customs within Jewish religion to face Jerusalem in the east whilst praying. Likewise, the Torah ark is positioned at the east end of the synagogue, which is faced whilst praying. Particularly notable is the splendid Torah Ark, designed by Nathan S. Joseph, it closely resembles the Ark he designed for London's New West End Synagogue. Both Arks are raised on platforms, approached by a series of circular, marble steps and project into the room in the form is a multi-domed and arched building.
The main entrance doorway is eight feet wide. Carved in the stone above in Hebrew, is Devarim (Deuteronomy) Chapter 32, verse 12. The English translation is "God alone let him, and there was no strange God with him". The numerical value of the Hebrew letters used in this verse adds up to the date of the foundation of the building.
The area of the building set apart for men accommodates 362 worshippers; the gallery set apart for ladies 218, giving a total of 580 seats.
Garnethill Synagogue has been described as the finest example of high Victorian synagogue architecture north of Liverpool. It is also included within the top ten of historic synagogues in the UK by Jewish Heritage UK. It also features as a Glasgow City Council listed heritage building, described as the ‘Mother Synagogue of Glasgow'. In 1995, Garnethill Synagogue was granted a Heritage Lottery Grant of £59,150 towards repairs of the building, reflecting its architectural importance in Scotland.
The first Jewish community in Glasgow can be traced back to circa 1823. By the 1870s, the community numbered around 1,000 and looked to build a permanent synagogue for the first time in Scotland as the converted synagogue in George Street (opened 1878) was full. This decision to build the synagogue was decided by the Special General Meeting in October 1875 and the site at the corner of Garnet Street and Hill Street was decided by a majority of votes as the location for the new Synagogue. It was believed that this location was popular because many of the Jewish community were moving to the West of the city, especially many of the leading figures of the community such as Benjamin and Michael Simons. Archive records show that money began coming in through donations to help fund the building of the Synagogue on 24 November 1875. The foundation stone was set by Benjamin Simons two years later in March. Benjamin Simon was one of the trustees. The finished synagogue was officially opened on 9 September 1879 with Rabbi Hermann Adler consecrating the opening. The first service was also held on this date.
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