B'nai Jacob Synagogue

The red brick synagogue features a sanctuary with traditional woodwork surrounding the ark and a seven-branched menorah positioned before it.

The Orthodox congregation, established in 1898, constructed this building in 1915 and later joined the Conservative movement during the 1950s.

During the early 1900s, the synagogue served as a central point for Jewish families who operated businesses and lived along Main Street in Ottumwa.

In 2019, the building transformed into the Temple of Creative Arts, providing space for meetings and performances under the American Gothic Performing Arts Festival.

The synagogue maintained its original center bimah until modernization efforts, while preserving the authentic woodwork that frames the sacred ark.

Location: Iowa

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

Website: http://bnaijacobiowa.org/home.html

GPS coordinates: 41.01390,-92.40690

Latest update: September 23, 2025 14:25