City of London in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Site of First Synagogue

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 25, 2026

1. Site of First Synagogue Marker

Inscription.
Site of first synagogue
after the resettlement
1657-1701

Erected by Spanish & Portuguese Jews’ Congregation.

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.

Location. 51° 30.827′ N, 0° 4.757′ W. Marker is in City of London, England, in Greater London. It is at the intersection of Creechurch Lane and Bury Street, on the left when traveling north on Creechurch Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18 Creechurch Lane, City of London, England EC3A 5AR, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tylers’ and Bricklayers’ Hall (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Holy Trinity Priory (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Holy Trinity Priory (about 90 meters away); The Great Synagogue Dukes Place (about 120 meters away); The London Wall Walk - 07 (about 120 meters away); East India Arms (about 150 meters away); Aldgate (about 180 meters away); Phillis Wheatley (about 240 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in City of London.

Also see . . . Gallery 1: Introduction (Jewish Museum London). Excerpt:

Why did they come and where from?: …Services at a small synagogue in Creechurch Lane, almost like a private house, date to 1657 and in October 1663 it was visited by the diarist Samuel Pepys, who recorded his impressions of the service. We know Pepys also visited in December 1659, on the occasion of a memorial service for a wealthy and respected merchant.

This makes the Spanish and Portuguese settlement one of the earliest after the readmission of the Jews to England, which is dated to 1656 and attributed to the petitioning of Oliver Cromwell by Sephardic Rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel of Amsterdam, acting
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 25, 2026

2. Site of First Synagogue Marker - wide view
as a Jewish ambassador. By 1690 there are thought to be only four hundred Jews living in England, so these first Sephardi’s were pioneers.

The synagogue, which had subsequently become a workhouse, was demolished in 1857. Originally, the group who met at Creechurch Lane, who were mainly merchants, were seen as ‘Spaniards’ and ‘Catholics’, but they held prayer meetings at Creechurch Lane and were soon accepted by the government as Jews in their faith.

An increase in the number of Sephardic Jews made it necessary to find somewhere larger, and the planning of a new synagogue began, with an agreement being signed in 1699 with Joseph Avis, a student of Sir Christopher Wren, for the construction of the building to cost £2650.

The Spanish and Portuguese Jews who formed the Bevis Marks Community were part of a rich picture of migration to the UK which precedes the British Empire. Many were likely to have been merchants seeking safety and stability without fear of persecution.

(Submitted on April 30, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.