Middle Street Synagogue, Orthodox synagogue in central Brighton, England
Middle Street Synagogue is an Orthodox synagogue in central Brighton, England, designed in Byzantine Revival style. The exterior features pale Sussex brick, a large rose window, and arched windows decorated with colored tiles on the west-facing side.
Thomas Lainson designed this building in 1874, and it opened in 1875 as a replacement for the earlier Brighton Regency Synagogue from 1823. This construction marked an important growth phase for the city's Jewish community, which needed larger quarters for its gatherings.
Inside, cast-iron columns with gilded capitals display images of Middle Eastern plants alongside brass fixtures and stained glass windows from the late 1800s. These decorative choices show how the congregation shaped their worship space and what artistic traditions mattered to them.
The building welcomes tour groups, schools, faith communities, and historical societies, with guided visits arranged through the Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation office. You should contact them in advance to arrange access and learn about the best times to visit.
In 1892, this became the first electrically lit synagogue in Britain, marking a remarkable technical achievement for religious buildings. This shows how the congregation embraced new inventions and helped bring modern electrical systems to houses of worship.
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