The congregation's second building, at 29 Grove Street, was vacated in 1965 and subsequently converted into a Christian church, called the Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. This former synagogue was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 as part of a multiple property listing of fifteen historic synagogues in Connecticut.[2]
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.[3]
Grove Street building
The Star of David window
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.[4][a] The construction delayed by funding difficulties that resulted from the Great Depression.[4] The synagogue is a rectangular brick building constructed on a high basement. The building features a prominent rose window depicting the Star of David.[4]
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.[5] In 1965, the congregation completed and dedicated a new synagogue at 301 Strawberry Hill Avenue.[6]
Senator Joe Lieberman'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.[7]
The Faith Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church now uses the Grove Street synagogue.[8]
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.[9] 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."[10]
The former Agudath Sholom Synagogue building on Grove Street was one of fifteen Connecticut synagogues added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995[1] and 1996 in response to an unprecedented multiple submission, nominating nineteen synagogues.[9][2]
^According to the congregation's website, the Agudath Sholom Synagogue was completed in 1938 and the "Chanukkat Habayit dedication occurred on the High Holidays."[3]
