Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Ahavath Achim Synagogue was located at 725 Hancock Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The building was built in 1926 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, 1995, as "West End Congregation--Achavath [sic] Achim Synagogue".[1] The building is a rare example in Bridgeport of a Colonial Revival house of worship containing details such as a portico with fluted columns and round arch stained-glass windows. Bridgeport architect Leonard Asheim designed many municipal and ecclesiastical buildings from 1910 to 1940.[2]

Ahavath Achim Synagogue
Location725 Hancock Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Coordinates41°10′12″N 73°12′44″W
Built1926
Built byE. & F. Construction Company
ArchitectLeonard Asheim
Architectural styleColonial Revival; Georgian Revival
NRHP reference No.95000574[1]
Added to NRHPMay 11, 1995

History

The Orthodox synagogue was associated with Bridgeport's sizable Hungarian Jewish community whose members settled primarily in the city's West End. It now functions as a church, owned and occupied by Iglesia Christiana El Buen Pastor.[2] Congregation Ahavath Achim moved to Fairfield in the 1960s.[3]

Congregation Ahavath Achim (in English, Brotherly Love) was founded in Bridgeport's West End in 1904, meeting in the homes of members until they were able to move to a more permanent location. As the immigrants prospered in their new homeland, they decided to build a "magnificent structure [using] the most modern techniques, glorious stained-glass windows, a beautiful Aron Ha-Kodesh, a lovely, traditional bimah, Colonial pillars, a breath-taking landscaping development ... a gorgeous edifice that would evoke for a blessed generation the proud statement: 'This is my synagogue!'"[4]

Ahavath Achim Synagogue was one of fifteen Connecticut synagogues added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 and 1996 in response to an unprecedented multiple submission, nominating nineteen synagogues.[5][6] The structure was being used by a church congregation in 2013.

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  2. David F. Ransom (1994-08-20). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form" (pdf). National Park Service. Retrieved 2010-07-30. and 3 accompanying photographs.
  3. Cindy Mindell. "Ahavath Achim launches new music venue". Jewish Ledger. West Hartford. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  4. Robert Perlman (1991). Bridging Three Worlds: Hungarian-Jewish Americans, 1848-1914. University of Massachusetts Press. pp. 200, 279. ISBN 978-0-87023-468-2. From a five page history written about 1965.
  5. Eleanor Charles (1996-04-07). "In the Region/Connecticut;15 Synagogues Gain National Landmark Status". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
  6. David F. Ransom (1995-03-29). "NRHP Registration Form Multiple Property Listing: Historic Synagogues of Connecticut" (pdf). National Park Service. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
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