Launceston Synagogue

The Launceston Synagogue is a heritage-listed building located in St. John's Street, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia, that served as a synagogue from 1846 until 1871, and again during the c. 1930s until its closure in 1961 and reopened in 1984.

Launceston Synagogue
Egyptian Revival-style synagogue in Launceston
Religion
AffiliationJudaism
Year consecrated1846 (1846)
StatusOpen
Location
LocationSt. John's Street, Launceston, Tasmania
CountryAustralia
Location in Tasmania
AdministrationNational Trust of Australia
Geographic coordinates41°26′22.13″S 147°8′25″E
Architecture
Architect(s)Richard Peter Lambeth
TypeSynagogue
StyleEgyptian Revival
Completed1846 (1846)
Official name: Launceston Synagogue
BuildersBarton and Bennell
Website
www.hobartsynagogue.org

History

In the 1840s the sizeable Launceston Hebrew Congregation borrowed £500 to purchase the land to build the synagogue.[1] The synagogue was designed by Richard Peter Lambeth[2] and was built in 1844 by Tasmanian builders Barton and Bennell. The synagogue was consecrated in 1846.[3]

After the Hobart Synagogue, the building is Australia's second-oldest synagogue,[4] the oldest place of non-Christian worship in Launceston, and a rare example of an Egyptian revival architecture in Australia.[5][6] The building features a distinctly trapezoidal facade and main window bearing the Star of David with a single balcony on the inside accessed via the rear of the building.

The synagogue closed as a house of worship in 1871, re-opening again in the 1930s. In 1923, Sim Crawcour and Harry Joseph were instrumental in its renovation.[1]

In 1989, the building became listed with National Trust of Australia who have been taking care of renovations and maintenance.

Convicts

In 1847 it was arranged that all Jews in Hobart and Launceston prisons should have the privilege of attending synagogue and refraining from work on the Sabbath. Pass holders were permitted to be counted in a minyan, but they could not have honors bestowed on them.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Launceston history tour map" (PDF). Launceston.tas.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  2. "Architect Personal Details: Lambeth, Richard Peter". Architectural works in South Australia. Architecture Museum, University of South Australia. 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  3. Baker, Emily. "More services for Launceston synagogue". The Examiner. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  4. National Trust of Australia (Tas) Launceston Synagogue Archived 21 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Muir Appelbaum, Diana (2012). "Jewish Identity and Egyptian Revival Architecture". Journal of Jewish Identities. 5 (2): 7.
  6. Wischnitzer, Rachel (December 1954). "Thomas U. Walter's Crown Street Synagogue, 1848-49". The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. 13 (4): 29–31. doi:10.2307/987638.
  7. "Tasmania". Jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 13 December 2014.

Further reading
  • Robbie, B. (2001). The Life & Work of Richard Peter Pink Lambeth 1807-1877 Architect. Queensland: Bill Robbie.


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