Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

First Jewish House of Worship in Florida

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 11, 2014

1. First Jewish House of Worship in Florida Marker

Inscription. Jewish families in Pensacola began organized worship following the Civil War. On this site in 1876 a Reform Jewish Synagogue was constructed. The State of Florida granted a charter in 1878 for Congregation Beth El. Temple Beth El joined the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in 1889 and engaged its first Rabbi in 1892. The original temple was destroyed by fire in 1895. It was rebuilt in 1898 at this site, but that building was also destroyed by fire in 1929. The current synagogue at 800 North Palafox Street dates from 1931. Temple Beth El is Florida's first formally recognized Jewish Congregation.

Erected 2001 by Temple Beth El & the Florida Department of State. Original Marker co-funded by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. (Marker Number F-435.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 30° 24.867′ N, 87° 12.848′ W. Marker is in Pensacola, Florida, in Escambia County. Marker is on East Chase Street, 0.1 miles east of North Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: East Chase Street, Pensacola FL 32502, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chase Street (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pensacola's Catholic Presence (about 600 feet away); Site of the First Methodist Church of Pensacola/Site of the San Carlos Hotel (about 700 feet away); St. Michael’s Church (about 700 feet away); Pensacola Lunch Counter Sit-Ins (about 800 feet away); Garden Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); General Bernardo de Gálvez and the "Siege of Pensacola" (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pensacola.

Also see . . .
1. Pensapedia Wiki entry. (Submitted on March 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Temple Beth-El - Our History. (Submitted on March 17, 2014.)

Photographed By Jerry Klinger

2. First Jewish House of Worship in Florida Marker

Original marker dedicated May 12, 2001 by Rodney Rich President of Beth El, Rabbi David Ostrich and Jerry Klinger, President of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. After car damage, the marker was replaced with a second marker.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 11, 2014

3. Marker Area

Current Temple on Palafox Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, March 11, 2014

4. Current Temple on Palafox Street

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 667 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on May 25, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. Photos: 1. submitted on March 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 2. submitted on May 25, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on March 12, 2014, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.