Cheltenham Synagogue, Grade II* listed Orthodox synagogue in Cheltenham, England
Cheltenham Synagogue is a neoclassical building featuring Doric columns, a gabled roofline, and a coffered dome with a central lantern. The interior layout retains its traditional structure with furnishings and religious elements characteristic of early 19th-century synagogue design.
The building was founded in 1837 when Cheltenham was a prosperous spa resort attracting a growing Jewish population. This establishment reflects how the community established its own religious institution during a period of expansion and growth.
The building serves as a gathering place where the local Jewish community comes together for worship and connection. Regular services here maintain Ashkenazi traditions that have shaped the community's identity for generations.
The building sits on Synagogue Lane near St James's Square and is straightforward to locate. It remains in active use and welcomes those interested in visiting to learn about its religious and architectural heritage.
The religious furnishings inside date to an earlier period than the building itself. The Torah ark and reading platform incorporate elements from 1761, making them among the oldest Ashkenazi furnishings still in use in Great Britain.
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