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Beth-El Zedeck Temple

Coordinates: 39°49′3″N 86°8′55″W / 39.81750°N 86.14861°W / 39.81750; -86.14861
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Beth-El Zedeck Temple
Beth-El Zedeck Temple
Beth-El Zedeck Temple is located in Indianapolis
Beth-El Zedeck Temple
Beth-El Zedeck Temple is located in Indiana
Beth-El Zedeck Temple
Beth-El Zedeck Temple is located in the United States
Beth-El Zedeck Temple
Location3359 Ruckle St., Indianapolis, Indiana
Coordinates39°49′3″N 86°8′55″W / 39.81750°N 86.14861°W / 39.81750; -86.14861
Area0.3 acres (0.12 ha)
Built1924
ArchitectVonnegut, Bohn & Mueller
Architectural styleNeoclassical Revival
NRHP reference No.100004362[1]
Added to NRHPAugust 28, 2019

Beth-El Zedeck Temple, originally known as Beth-El Temple, is a historic synagogue located in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The building was completed in 1924, and was originally home to Congregation Beth-El before merging with the Ohev Zedeck congregation in 1928.[2] It is the oldest remaining synagogue structure in Indianapolis.[3][4]

The building is a two-story, neoclassical structure with a brick exterior and flat roof. It has a terra cotta cornice and ornamental pedestals throughout the roof line. Its entrance features a decorative canopy over the front doors, which is suspended to the building by two steel tension cables. The interior features a large sanctuary space on the second floor and classrooms on the first floor.[4]

The temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.

History

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Congregation Beth-El was formed in 1915 when a small group of Jewish congregants began meeting in a rented house at 16th and Illinois Streets in Indianapolis. The following year, attendance had grown and the group rented a larger home at 21st and Talbott Streets. The congregation incorporated in 1921.

The congregation chose a property at the southeast corner of 34th and Ruckle Streets for its new synagogue, as the area had a growing Jewish population. The building was dedicated on December 12, 1925, the first night of Hanukah. Governor Edward L. Jackson attended the dedication ceremony.[4]

Congregation Beth-El Zedeck occupied the building until 1958 when it moved north to a new location in the Indianapolis enclave suburb of Meridian Hills, Indiana. Congregation B'nai Torah then occupied the building until 1967.[2] Most recently, the building housed a Christian church.

Restoration

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Indiana Landmarks, a private historic preservation organization, purchased the building in 2014. Indiana Landmarks raised funds to replace the structure's roof, which had a large hole exposing the interior to water damage. In 2016, a brick addition to the north side of the building was removed to assist with redevelopment.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Jewish Historical Resources (Marion County). "Marion County History" (PDF). Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
  3. ^ Higgins, Will (2015-08-25). "Indy's oldest temple is historic but empty. So what now?". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  4. ^ a b c Cory Johnson; Raina Regan; Sam Burgess (2016-11-23). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Beth-El Zedeck Temple" (PDF). Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  5. ^ "Finding a New Use for Beth-El Temple". Indiana Landmarks.
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