South Portland Street Synagogue Explained

South Portland Street Synagogue
Rite:Nusach Ashkenaz
Festivals:-->
Organisational Status:Synagogue
Organizational Status:-->
Functional Status:Closed and demolished
Location:85–89 South Portland Street, Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland
Country:United Kingdom
Map Type:Scotland
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Coordinates:55.8538°N -4.2563°W
Architect:James Chalmers
Architecture Type:Synagogue architecture
Architecture Style:Moorish Revival
Established:1881
Year Completed:1901
Date Demolished:1974
Date Destroyed:-->
Elevation Ft:-->

South Portland Street Synagogue was a former Orthodox Jewish synagogue, that was at 85-89 South Portland Street in the Gorbals area of Glasgow, Scotland, in the United Kingdom.

From its establishment in 1901 until its closure in 1974, it was regarded as the centre of Jewish religious in Glasgow.[1] The building, designed by James Chalmers,[2] was known by several names during its lifespan including the South Side Synagogue, the Great Synagogue and the Great Central Synagogue.

History

On opening in 1901, the religious leaders of the congregation were Reverend Abraham Cantor and Reverend Isaac Bridge.[3] At the time of opening, South Portland Street was the largest synagogue in Scotland, with seating for 1,000 people and the option for up to 1,600 people to access services in the Prayer Hall with the opening of folding doors.[4]

The synagogue was in a union with Garnethill Synagogue from 1886/7 to 1898 and from 1896 until 1906 was part of the United Synagogue of Glasgow.[5] In 1956, the building merged with the congregation of the New Central Synagogue in Hospital Street to form the Great Central Synagogue.[2]

In the first decade of the 20th century the South Portland Street Synagogue purchased and operated a burial ground at Riddrie, immediately adjoining Riddrie Park Cemetery.

The synagogue was the longest-surviving synagogue in the Gorbals and was considered to be the last Jewish building in the area, and was the centre of traditional Jewish life until it closed in 1974.[6]

Congregation

The congregation, who worshipped in the Ashkenazi rite, was formed in 1881 in response to the large numbers of Jewish immigrants who were moving to the Gorbals area. As a result of this immigration, a number of synagogues were established in the Gorbals, of which South Portland Street was the largest.

See also

References

  1. Book: Collins, Kenneth E. . Jewish Glasgow: an illustrated history . 2013 . Scottish Jewish Archives Centre . 978-0-9513205-7-0 . Glasgow . 38 . 870646186.
  2. Web site: Dictionary of Scottish Architects . DSA Building/Design Report . February 22, 2023 . 2023-02-22 .
  3. Book: Kaplan, Harvey L. . The Gorbals Jewish community in 1901 . 2006 . Scottish Jewish Archives Centre . Scottish Jewish Archives Centre . 0-9513205-6-4 . Glasgow . 18 . 70173000.
  4. Book: Collins, Dr Kenneth . Aspects of Scottish Jewry . The Glasgow Jewish Representative Council . 1987 . 0-9511853-0-6 . 99–104.
  5. Web site: JCR-UK: Great Central Synagogue (formerly known as Great Synagogue) Glasgow, Scotland. . 2023-02-22 . www.jewishgen.org.
  6. Book: Collins, Kenneth E. . The Jewish experience in Scotland : from immigration to integration . 2016 . Neville Lamdan, Michael Tobias, Gillian Raab . 978-0-9513205-9-4 . Glasgow . 966304927.