Brisbane Synagogue, Modern Orthodox synagogue on Margaret Street, Brisbane City, Australia
Brisbane Synagogue is a stuccoed brick building on concrete foundations at 98 Margaret Street, designed by Arthur Morry and built by Arthur Midson in 1885–86. Its Margaret Street front has an arched doorway under a large circular Oamaru stone tracery window, flanked by two minaret turrets rising to 90 feet (27 m) from the original ground level. Inside, octagonal columns divide a nave and side aisles, with a women's gallery over the entry and along both sides.
The building was established in 1885 when its foundation stone was laid with a time capsule containing coins, newspapers, and documents of the Jewish community. It arose during a period when the Jewish population of Queensland was growing and settling in Brisbane.
The layout separates men and women during services following Jewish tradition, with the women's section positioned above the entrance. This arrangement reflects how the community physically expresses its religious practices within the space.
The synagogue stands at 98 Margaret Street in Brisbane's central business district, a short walk from the Brisbane River and the Queen Street Mall. Margaret Street was later raised in level, so the basement ventilation arches now sit below street grade and the original foundation stone is no longer visible. The building is an active Modern Orthodox congregation, so visits should be arranged with the community in advance rather than made on impulse.
The circular window above the entrance features Oamaru stone with geometric patterns framed by Corinthian columns. This detail showcases the craftsmanship invested in the building's exterior design.
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