THE AUCKLAND SYNAGOGUE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 47, 21 November 1891, Page 601

THE AUCKLAND SYNAGOGUE.

This building’ is prominently situated at the coiner of Bowen Avenue and Priuces-street, opposite to the entrance to Government House. Prior to its erection the Hebrew community possessed a small wooden structure in Emily Place, but had long in view the erection of a suitable building. Chiefly owing to the liberality of one prominent family in the community (that of the late David Nathan), some years gatherings enabled the members of this ancient faith to carry out their long-cherished wishes for a suitable ‘ House of Israel.’ The original site for the Synagogue, obtained by Mr P. A. Philips in 1855, was a piece of land just below the Supreme Court in Alten Road, but as the Government on request offered to grant the whole of this site for a City Reserve if the Hebrew community could arrange to exchange for a piece of ground elsewhere, negotiations were opened with the City Council, and ultimately the present site was accepted, thus enabling the Government to vest the Alten Road reserve in the burgesses of the city, and it will, no doubt, some day be fenced and suitably planted, making a further addition to the ornamentation of our city. Designs were invited for the Synagogue, ami that of Mr Edward Bartley, architect, was accepted, the cost being with fittings £4,114. The foundation stone was laid in November, 1884, by the late David Nathan, at which the whole of the community attended, and a very large circle of friends of other denominations. The building was completed and consecrated on Sunday, November Bth, 1885, and opened with eclat, the building being crowded to excess. Its prominent position attracts attention, and the pretty interior will repay a visit to all interested in the ancient people to whom all religions owe their origin.