Downtown Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 16, 2026
1. The Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue Marker
Inscription.
The Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue. . In 1846, Augusta-area Jews founded the city's first congregation, B'nai Israel, later Congregation Children of Israel (CCI), building its first synagogue here in 1869. Membership reflected Jewish migration to the United States, including Central and Eastern European Jews seeking to escape persecution to find economic opportunities and social freedoms. CCI was founded as Orthodox, representing traditional views, like other congregations across the US between 1860-1880, and later adopted the progressive practices of Reform Judaism to serve its diverse congregation. Jewish migration to Augusta increased until the federal 1924 Immigration Act limited Eastern European Jewish immigration. In 1951, CCI moved to a larger synagogue on Walton Way. The city used the original synagogue as offices until 2015. Now preserved, it is the oldest standing synagogue building in Georgia and operates as the Augusta Jewish Museum Cultural Center.
In 1846, Augusta-area Jews founded the city's first congregation, B'nai Israel, later Congregation Children of Israel (CCI), building its first synagogue here in 1869. Membership reflected Jewish migration to the United States, including Central and Eastern European Jews seeking to escape persecution to find economic opportunities and social freedoms. CCI was founded as Orthodox, representing traditional views, like other congregations across the US between 1860-1880, and later adopted the progressive practices of Reform Judaism to serve its diverse congregation. Jewish migration to Augusta increased until the federal 1924 Immigration Act limited Eastern European Jewish immigration. In 1951, CCI moved to a larger synagogue on Walton Way. The city used the original synagogue as offices until 2015. Now preserved, it is the oldest standing synagogue building in Georgia and operates as the Augusta Jewish Museum Cultural Center.
Erected 2025 by the Georgia Historical Society and the Augusta Jewish Museum. (Marker Number 121-29.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Immigration
Location. 33° 28.217′ N, 81° 57.681′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is in Downtown Augusta. It is on Telfair Street west of 5th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 525 Telfair St, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South. Globally, it is in North America and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 16, 2026
3. The Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 40 times since then. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
