The United Hebrew Congregation of Joplin, Missouri, will hold an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. June 12 to mark the 100th anniversary of its uniquely designed Jewish temple, situated on Route 66.
Historic Murphysburg Preservation Inc., a group dedicated to preserving the historic Murphysburg residential district in Joplin, is partnering with the congregation for the event at the synagogue, which will have narrated tours and serve traditional Jewish food.
More from the Murphysburg news release:
The exterior is Byzantine-style with oriental trimmings along the lines of a Hebrew temple and a Turkish mosque. The temple was modeled after The Hagia Sophia in modern day Istanbul as sketched by Joplin businessman, Gabe Newburger, of Newman Brothers Department Store while he was traveling in Europe and Asia. The architect was our well-known Joplin resident, Austin Allen. Mr. Allen’s designs of the Elks Club Lodge, the Newman Mercantile Building (present day Joplin City Hall), the Olivia Apartments, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and his personal home in Murphysburg still remain and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Roberta Shilane of the United Hebrew Congregation said, “Guests will have the rare opportunity to view the beautiful handcrafted wooden ark, which houses the Torah scrolls, and features the hand carved Hebrew letters representing the Ten Commandments.” The tour will also feature the “Tree of Life” appliqued on the curtain inside the ark that refers metaphorically to the Torah, original stained glass windows, wooden pews, a pipe organ, ner tamid (everlasting light), menorahs, Torah scrolls and regalia, and the choir and women’s balcony.
Joplin’s historic Jewish temple is at Sergeant Avenue and Seventh Street (aka Route 66).
According to varying media accounts, the synagogue suffered a fire in 1970 that severely damaged its roof. However, the interior of the temple remains nearly the same as it was 100 years ago.
For a really cool 360-degree, interactive look at the inside of the synagogue, go here. The site has some still photos and an old image of the temple, as well.
More about the Joplin Jewish temple and its congregation may be read here.
(Hat tip to Paula Calliahn; image of the temple via the United Hebrew Congregation of Joplin via Facebook)