Reform Synagogue Jackson’s Row Manchester

Built to replace the Synagogue in Park Place (architect E Salomons) destroyed by an oil bomb in 1941.

NEW SYNAGOGUE – Flanked by police offices and a garage and with a public house facing it across the road, a new synagogue costing in the region of £100,000 has been built by the Manchester Congregation of British Jews to the design of Peter Cummings and Eric Levy, the Manchester architects, in Jackson’s Row. The selection of the site, which is in the heart of a congested commercial area between the Town Hall and Deansgate, was not only a matter of convenience for a congregation residing on all sides of Manchester; Mr B Lister, chairman of the Building Committee, described it yesterday as a gesture of confidence in the realisation of the Manchester Development Plan, under which Jackson’s Row should eventually become a wide boulevard. The synagogue replaces one which was totally destroyed by enemy action in 1941, since when services have been conducted in Houldsworth Hall and in a prefabricated structure. Designed on modern lines with an entirely brick built exterior, the building includes a synagogue in light oak, red leather and pale stone to accommodate 750 worshippers, equipped with a gallery for the choir and an electronic organ similar to that in the Free Trade Hall. Below it is an all-purpose social hall, also in oak and equipped with a stage and large kitchens. This will be operated as a social centre for all kinds of activities. The synagogue will be officially opened on 29 November by Mr L Montefiore in the presence of the civic heads of Manchester, Salford and Prestwich. [Manchester Guardian 18 November 1953 page 10]

LORD MAYOR AT OPENING OF NEW SYNAGOGUE - When the new £100,000 synagogue opened in Jackson's Row, Deansgate on Sunday six silver ornaments were the only articles there to recall the blitzed Park Place Synagogue, Cheetham Hill, which it replaces. The original synagogue was destroyed during a blitz in June 1941. Under the leadership of Mr Lionel Blundell, a section of the congregation started a rebuilding fund and chose the new site in Jackson's Row. Officiating at the opening ceremony were Rabbi P Selvin Goldberg (the minister), Rabbi Harold F Reinhart (a senior London minister) and Rabbi Dr. W Van der Zyl (minister of the North Western Reform Synagogue). The Lord Mayor (Alderman A Moss) attended. [Manchester City News 4 December 1953 Page 13.]

SYNAGOGUE CONSECRATED - Eighteen months after the foundation stone was laid, the synagogue of the Manchester Congregation of British Jews in Jackson's Row Manchester was opened and consecrated yesterday. The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Alderman A Moss, and the Mayor of Salford Alderman Dr. J Shlosberg took part in the religious ceremonial which was conducted by the Minister, Rabbi P S Goldberg; the senior minister of the West London Synagogue, Rabbi H F Reinhart; and the Minister of the North Western Synagogue, Rabbi Dr W Van der Zyl.[The Manchester Guardian Monday 30 November 1953 Page 10 Col 4]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 November 1953 page 10
Reference    Evening Chronicle 18 November 1953
Reference    Manchester Guardian Monday 30 November 1953 Page 10 Col 4
Reference    Manchester City News 4 December 1953 Page 13