Congregation Agudath Sholom (

transliterated Transliteration is a type of conversion of a text from one writing system, script to another that involves swapping Letter (alphabet), letters (thus ''wikt:trans-#Prefix, trans-'' + ''wikt:littera#Latin, liter-'') in predictable ways, such as ...

from the

Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...

for "association (or guild) of peace") is a

Modern Orthodox Modern may refer to: History *Modern history ** Early Modern period ** Late Modern period *** 18th century *** 19th century *** 20th century ** Contemporary history * Moderns, a faction of Freemasonry that existed in the 18th century Philosophy ...

Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...

congregation and

synagogue A synagogue, also called a shul or a temple, is a place of worship for Jews and Samaritans. It is a place for prayer (the main sanctuary and sometimes smaller chapels) where Jews attend religious services or special ceremonies such as wed ...

located at Strawberry Hill Avenue, in Stamford,

Connecticut Connecticut ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. ...

, in the United States. The congregation's second building, at 29 Grove Street, was vacated in 1965 and subsequently converted into a Christian

church Church may refer to: Religion * Church (building), a place/building for Christian religious activities and praying * Church (congregation), a local congregation of a Christian denomination * Church service, a formalized period of Christian comm ...

, called the Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. This former synagogue was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

in 1995 as part of a multiple property listing of fifteen historic synagogues in Connecticut.

History

On September 7, 1889, twenty-two members formally declared themselves as "Agudath Sholom Synagogue," meaning "association of peace" or "guild of peace." The congregation constructed their first synagogue, the Greyrock Synagogue, from 1904 through 1908. The congregation used the building until February 1932 when the Greyrock Synagogue was destroyed in a fire.

Grove Street building

Located at 29 Grove Street in Stamford, Connecticut, the Agudath Sholom Synagogue was the second synagogue of the congregation. The ground breaking occurred on September 12, 1933, and the final dedication was on April 27, 1941. The construction delayed by funding difficulties that resulted from the

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

. The synagogue is a rectangular brick building constructed on a high basement. The building features a prominent rose window depicting the

Star of David The Star of David (, , ) is a symbol generally recognized as representing both Jewish identity and Judaism. Its shape is that of a hexagram: the compound of two equilateral triangles. A derivation of the Seal of Solomon was used for decora ...

. The Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church now uses the Grove Street synagogue.

Grove Street building significance

While it was originally a synagogue, the Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church continues to use the building as a church, however this did not impact the "National Landmark" status bestowed upon the building. For the National Register of Historic Places, it was submitted under Criterion C because it was "Constructed as a Jewish house of worship, located in an urban setting, exhibits integrity of design and workmanship and constructed prior to 1945." (pages 102-110) and The former Agudath Sholom Synagogue building on Grove Street was one of fifteen Connecticut synagogues added to the

in 1995 and 1996 in response to an unprecedented multiple submission, nominating nineteen synagogues.

Strawberry Hill Avenue building

In order to meet the demands of its growing congregation, funds were raised for a new synagogue; and in February 1963 it was announced that $860,000 had been raised, against a goal of $1.2 million. In 1965, the congregation completed and dedicated a new synagogue at 301 Strawberry Hill Avenue. Senator

Joe Lieberman Joseph Isadore Lieberman (; February 24, 1942 – March 27, 2024) was an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States senator from Connecticut from 1989 to 2013. Originally a member of the Democratic Party (United States), Dem ...

's family were long-time members of Agudath Sholom, and his funeral was held there. He was buried in the congregation's cemetery, alongside his parents.

Notes

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Agudath Sholom 1889 establishments in Connecticut 20th-century synagogues in the United States Baptist churches in Connecticut Buildings and structures in Stamford, Connecticut Churches in Stamford, Connecticut Jewish organizations established in 1889 Modern Orthodox synagogues in the United States National Register of Historic Places in Fairfield County, Connecticut Romanesque Revival architecture in Connecticut Romanesque Revival synagogues Synagogues completed in 1908 Synagogues completed in 1941 Synagogues completed in 1965 Orthodox synagogues in Connecticut Synagogues on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut