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Jonestown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Lloyd Street Synagogue

 
 
Lloyd Street Synagogue Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, April 13, 2008
1. Lloyd Street Synagogue Marker
Inscription. The Lloyd Street Synagogue, dedicated in 1845, is the first synagogue erected in Maryland and the third oldest surviving synagogue in the United States. A simple, elegant building in the popular Greek Revival style, it was designed for the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation by Robert Cary Long, Jr., the most prominent Baltimore architect of the mid-19th century. The first ordained rabbi in the United States, Rabbi Abraham Rice, served as the congregation's first spiritual leader after emigrating from Bavaria.

This beautiful old synagogue not only remains an important landmark in the history of American Jewry, but also stands as a symbol of Baltimore's role as a port of entry for generations of European immigrants. Three successive congregations occupied the site: Baltimore Hebrew Congregation (1845-1890, Central European Jews), St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church (1890-1905, Lithuanian Roman Catholics), and Shomrei Mishmeres Ha-Kodesh (1905-1963, East European Jews), each of which altered the building to meet its congregational needs.

When the building was threatened demolition in the early 1960s, the Jewish Historical Society of Maryland (now the Jewish Museum of Maryland) purchased and restored the synagogue as an historic site. The restoration preserved the original wooden pews, women's balcony, cast iron fence, and magnificent painted glass windows. In the lower level, a study hall and chapel, social hall, ritual baths (mikvaot), and an oven used in the baking of Passover matzah (unleavened bread) shed light
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on the synagogue's role in community life through the decades.
 
Erected by the City of Baltimore, Security Title / Guarantee Corporation, sponsor and William Donald Schaefer, mayor, rededicated 2005, Martin O'Malley, mayor.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: ArchitectureChurches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Baltimore City historical markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.
 
Location. 39° 17.424′ N, 76° 36.08′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Jonestown. Marker is at the intersection of Lloyd Street and Watson Street, on the right when traveling north on Lloyd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Baltimore MD 21202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Lloyd Street Synagogue (here, next to this marker); B'nai Israel Synagogue (within shouting distance of this marker); 1029 East Baltimore Street (within shouting distance of this marker); McKim Free School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1023 East Baltimore Street (about 300 feet away); 1017 - 1021 East Baltimore Street (about 400 feet away); On to Yorktown (about 500 feet away); 1781 Friends Meeting House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
 
Also see . . .  The Jewish Museum of Maryland. (Submitted on April 14, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
Additional markers image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, April 13, 2008
2. Additional markers
The top marker is a standard National Register of Historic Places marker.

The bottom marker reads as follows:
Historic Baltimore
Lloyd Street Synagogue

First synagogue erected in Maryland
Dedicated September 26, 1845

Restored by Jewish Historical Society of Maryland as a historic shrine, November 8, 1964

Awarded by the City of Baltimore, Theodore R. McKeldin, mayor, 1964

 
Additional keywords. Judaica
 
Three Markers<br>and a Sign image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 28, 2016
3. Three Markers
and a Sign
Interior of the Lloyd Street Synagogue image. Click for full size.
Lanny Miyamoto - Historic American Buildings Survey, October 1958
4. Interior of the Lloyd Street Synagogue
Lloyd Street Synagogue Interior image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 28, 2016
5. Lloyd Street Synagogue Interior
Close-up of photo on marker
Lloyd Street Synagogue image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, April 13, 2008
6. Lloyd Street Synagogue
Lloyd Street Synagogue image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, August 28, 2016
7. Lloyd Street Synagogue
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,003 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.   3. submitted on September 24, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.   4. submitted on May 15, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.   5. submitted on September 24, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.   6. submitted on April 13, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.   7. submitted on September 24, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.

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Mar. 18, 2024