Brighton Regency Synagogue Explained

Brighton Regency Synagogue
Image Upright:1.4
Rite:Nusach Ashkenaz
Festivals:-->
Organizational Status:-->
Functional Status:Closed ; Repurposed
Location:38–39 Devonshire Place, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, England BN2 1QB
Country:United Kingdom
Map Type:United Kingdom Brighton
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Coordinates:50.8213°N -0.131°W
Architect:David Mocatta
Architecture Type:Synagogue architecture
Architecture Style:Regency
Established:1824
Year Completed:1825
Date Destroyed:-->
Elevation Ft:-->
Footnotes:[1]

The Brighton Regency Synagogue, also called the Devonshire Place Synagogue, is a former Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 38–39 Devonshire Place, Kemptown, Brighton and Hove, in East Sussex, England, in the United Kingdom. The congregation, established in 1824, worshiped in the Ashkenazi rite.

The Regency building was completed in 1825 as a synagogue and ceased operation as a synagogue in 1874. The former synagogue building was listed as a Grade II listed building in 1971.

The site now comprises an apartment building.

History

The synagogue was built in 1824–25. It was enlarged in 1836–38 to designs by David Mocatta, England's first Jewish architect.

The building's chaste, pilastered façade, symmetry, and central doorway are typical of the Regency style. A faded inscription reading (1838) was faintly visible under the pediment in 2006. Inside, the original ceiling lantern, a typical Regency feature, is still in place.[2]

The building was replaced by the Middle Street Synagogue in 1875, and sold. By 2007 it had been converted into apartments, with the façade sensitively restored and an historic plaque mentioning the architect.[3]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation . Jewish Communities and Records - United Kingdom . JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain . 20 June 2023 . 1 May 2024 .
  2. Book: Kadish, Sharman . Sharman Kadish . Jewish Heritage in England: An Architectural Guide . . 2006 . 1-905624-28-X . 76–77.
  3. Web site: Jewish Heritage UK – Planning & Development News . 3 May 2009 . Jewish Heritage UK website . Survey of the Jewish Built Heritage (SJBH) . 27 December 2009.