Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

Temple Emanu-el

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

1. Temple Emanu-el Marker

Inscription. Opportunity drew European Jewish immigrants to the gold camp at Last Chance where business and religion brought them together. The Jewish community contributed a firm financial foundation to the early settlement. It was the Jewish pioneers especially, with ties to resources in larger cities, whose businesses rose again and again in the face of ruinous fires that plagued early Helena. Helena’s Jews worshipped together as early as 1866, yet the congregation remained without a temple for over twenty years. In 1890, the public gathered as Governor J. K. Toole ceremoniously laid the cornerstone for the first Jewish temple between St. Paul and Portland. Helena architects Heinlen and Matthias drew the plans for the Romanesque and Moorish style synagogue under the tutelage of a building committee. Strong Eastern influences include the keyhole windows and star-studded domes that once capped the corner towers. The grand temple reflects the congregation’s generous intent “to ornament the city” that had become home. But the congregation dwindled by the 1930s and the State of Montana acquired the building, promising to use it for social

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purposes. Religious symbolism removed and a second story added, the former temple became an early model of adaptive reuse. It housed Social and Rehabilitative Services until 1976 and then lay vacant until the Catholic Diocese of Helena purchased the building in 1981. On April 21, 2002, descendants of Jewish pioneers and the Catholic community together celebrated the centennial of this regional landmark. The Hebrew date on the cornerstone, 5651, remains to document its original purpose.

Erected by Montana Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program, and the Synagogues series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 21, 2002.

Location. 46° 35.398′ N, 112° 1.961′ W. Marker is in Helena, Montana, in Lewis and Clark County. It is at the intersection of North Ewing Street, and East 10th Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Ewing Street,. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

Temple Emanu-el and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

2. Temple Emanu-el and Marker

515 North Ewing Street, Helena MT 59601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in andspecifically entral Montana in Gold West Country. It is also in the American Mountain West

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Temple Emanuel (here, next to this marker); Porter Flats (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sanders Home (about 700 feet away); Francis & Hannah Pope House (approx. 0.2 miles away); C.B. Power Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Robert and Elizabeth Fisk Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away); Child Carriage House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Original Governor's Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helena.

Temple Emanu-el image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 16, 2021

3. Temple Emanu-el

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 476 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 17, 2021, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.