Central Business District in Sacramento in Sacramento County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Synagogue

Owned by Congregation B'nai Israel

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

1. First Synagogue Marker

Inscription. This was the site of the first synagogue on the Pacific Coast, dedicated on September 3, 1852. The building, prefabricated in Baltimore and shipped around Cape Horn in 1849, originally housed the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose trustees sold the edifice on June 4, 1852, to Alexander Myer, Joseph Levison, and Charles Freidman, officers of the Association of the Children of Israel (B'nai Israel). The congregation followed the Orthodox tradition until 1880, when it became an adherent of Reform Judaism.

Erected 1958 by California State Parks, Congregation B'nai Israel, and Sacramento Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 654.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Notable Places • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Synagogues series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is June 4, 1852.

Location. 38° 34.72′ N, 121° 29.916′ W. Marker is in Sacramento, California, in Sacramento County. It is in the Central Business District. It is on 7th Street south of L Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sacramento CA 95814, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Sacramento Valley

and specifically in the Central Valley.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: First Sacramento High School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Leland Stanford House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sacramento Pioneers Society (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pioneer Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Stately Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jesse M. Unruh State Office Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heilbron House (approx. 0.2 miles away); California Mexican-American War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sacramento.

More about this marker. The marker lays flat in the sidewalk on the east side of 7th Street at the alley.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

2. First Synagogue Marker

Site of the First Jewish Synagogue Owned by a Congregation on the Pacific Coast Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 31, 2008

3. Site of the First Jewish Synagogue Owned by a Congregation on the Pacific Coast Marker

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 31, 2008

4. Site of the First Jewish Synagogue Owned by a Congregation on the Pacific Coast Marker

Photographed by Syd Whittle, December 31, 2008

5. 7th Street

Looking North toward L Street From Marker. Site of the Synagogue

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,023 times since then and 57 times this year. Last updated on May 2, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 2, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on January 2, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4, 5. submitted on January 3, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.