Leazes Park Synagogue

Former Orthodox synagogue in Newcastle, England

54°58′31″N 1°37′04″W / 54.975172°N 1.617715°W / 54.975172; -1.617715ArchitectureArchitect(s)John JohnstoneTypeSynagogue architectureStyleNorth ItalianDate established1880 (as a congregation)Completed1880Materials

Sandstone
Welsh slate

Listed Building – Grade II

Official nameLeazes ArcadeTypeListed buildingDesignated30 March 1987Reference no.1087064 ^[1]^[2]

The Leazes Park Synagogue is a former Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at 12 Leazes Park Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, in the United Kingdom. The congregation was formed in 1880 and worshiped in the Ashkenazi rite until the congregation was dissolved in 1978.

The former synagogue building was completed in 1880, designed by Scottish architect John Johnstone in the North Italian style,^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5] and featured an elaborate two-storey sandstone façade. The building was listed as a Grade II building in 1987.^[2]

Since its use as a synagogue, the building has been variously used as a shopping arcade and as student accommodation.

History

The Newcastle Old Hebrew Congregation traces its roots from 1838 and the founding of Temple Street Synagogue, which merged with the Charlotte Square Synagogue to form the Newcastle United Hebrew Congregation. The amalgamated congregation moved into the new synagogue on Leazes Park Road, which was consecrated on 25 August 1880.^[1] There were further mergers in 1924 and 1973, but the Leazes Park Synagogue continued to serve as one of the synagogues of the united congregation until its final closure service on 3 May 1978.^[1]^[6] The Culzean Park Synagogue in Gosforth is now Newcastle's only active Orthodox synagogue.^[1]

Designed by John Johnstone, who was also responsible for the design of Newcastle's old town hall,^[7] the synagogue building was extended in the 1920s.^[6] The building had a basement schoolroom and a Jewish sports club was formed there in 1934.^[8]

The Leazes Park Synagogue building was put to use as a shopping arcade^[2] until a fire destroyed the interior in 1989.^[9] Restoration was completed by 1996 and it is now used for student accommodation.^[10]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Shulman, David (18 April 2024). "The Former Leazes Park Road Synagogue". Jewish Communities & Records UK. JewishGen and the Jewish Genealogical Society of Great Britain. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Historic England. "Leazes Arcade (1087064)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
^ "Leazes Conservation Area Character Statement" (PDF). Newcastle City Council. 23 June 2000. p. 27. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
^ "John Johnstone". Dictionary of Scottish Architects 1660–1980. 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
^ "English Regions: Listed Synagogues and other Jewish Sites". Jewish Heritage UK. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
^ ^a ^b "Leazes Park Synagogue". The National Archives. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
^ "Newcastle, Cloth Market, Town Hall and Corn Exchange". TW Sitelines. Newcastle City Council. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
^ "Watch Scenes at Maccabi Youth Club, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne". bfi.org.uk.
^ "Hyena Comedy Club could be turned into Newcastle's newest hotel". Chronicle Live. 18 June 2018.
^ "Leazes". Timarchive2.freeuk.com. Retrieved 18 March 2017.