B'nai Jacob Synagogue

B'nai Jacob Synagogue is a red brick building designed in Renaissance Revival style located in Ottumwa. The interior features a sanctuary with detailed wooden craftsmanship framing the ark, and a seven-branched menorah sits before it.

An Orthodox congregation founded the synagogue in 1898 and built this structure in 1915. The community later joined the Conservative movement during the 1950s, reflecting shifting religious practices.

In the early 1900s, the synagogue served as a gathering place for Jewish families who operated shops and made their homes along Main Street in Ottumwa. The building stood at the heart of a community that contributed to the city's commercial and social fabric.

The building now functions as the Temple of Creative Arts and hosts meetings and performances as part of the American Gothic Performing Arts Festival. The space serves primarily as an event venue, so checking availability ahead of time is helpful for planning a visit.

The synagogue preserved its original central bimah, the raised platform traditionally used for reading, for many years before later modifications. This architectural feature offers insight into traditional Jewish worship arrangements that visitors often overlook.

Location: Iowa

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture

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

GPS coordinates: 41.01390,-92.40690

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:22