Sumter in Sumter County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Temple Sinai

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2010

1. Temple Sinai Marker

Inscription. (Front text)
Sumter’s Jewish community, dating to 1815, has long been one of the largest and most influential in inland S.C. Mark Solomons, Franklin J. Moses, and Montgomery Moses brought their families to Sumter District from the old and well-established Jewish community in Charleston. Other families, from Spain, Germany, Poland, Russia, and other European nations, followed. Two organizations founded shortly after the Civil War would later join to form a congregation.

(Reverse text)
The Hebrew Cemetery Society was founded in 1874, the Sumter Hebrew Benevolent Society was founded before 1881, and the two societies agreed to merge that year. A formal merger in 1895 created the Sumter Society of Israelites, the official name of Congregation Sinai. The first synagogue, a frame building constructed by 1900, burned. It was replaced in 1913 by this Moorish Revival brick synagogue, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Erected 2009 by The Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina. (Marker Number 43-42.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Synagogues series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 33°

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55.305′ N, 80° 20.797′ W. Marker is in Sumter, South Carolina, in Sumter County. It is on Church Street near West Hampton Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 Church Street, Sumter SC 29150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Carolina’s Pee Dee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Holocaust (within shouting distance of this marker); Trinity United Methodist Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sumter District Confederate Dead (about 500 feet away); Sumterville Academy (about 600 feet away); Y.M.C.A. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Military Post / Potter's Raid (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Tuomey Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln High School (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sumter.

Regarding Temple Sinai. Temple Sinai is a significant example of a sanctuary designed in the Moorish Revival style. It is also a visible symbol and tangible reminder of the substantial and influential Jewish community in Sumter from the early nineteenth century to the present. As the center of that community, its impact and influence were widespread. Outside the coastal cities of Charleston and Georgetown, where there were well-established and significant Jewish populations dating to colonial days, Sumter’s Jewish community was one of inland South Carolina’s

Temple Sinai Marker, reverse side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 10, 2010

2. Temple Sinai Marker, reverse side

largest. Congregation Sinai grew out of the formation of several societies in Sumter in the mid-nineteenth century. By 1895, the Sumter Hebrew Benevolent Society and the Sumter Society of Israelites merged under the name of the Sumter Society of Israelites. Between 1895 and 1904, the society purchased a lot on the corner of Church Street and West Hampton Avenue as the site for a synagogue. By 1906, the congregation had constructed a wood-frame building. The second, and present, brick sanctuary was built ca. 1910-17. Listed in the National Register January 21, 1999.
(South Carolina Department of Archives and History )

Also see . . . National Register Application / Approval.

South Carolina SP Temple Sinai

(Submitted on May 28, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)

Temple Sinai and Marker seen along Church Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 10, 2010

3. Temple Sinai and Marker seen along Church Street

Temple Sinai image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 10, 2010

4. Temple Sinai

National register of Historical Places:
Temple Sinai (added 1999 - Building - #98001645)

South Carolina Department of Archives and History, circa 1999

5. Temple Sinai Marker

Photographed by Dave W, May 28, 2023

6. Temple Sinai Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,541 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 14, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on May 28, 2023, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.