Anniston in Calhoun County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Temple Beth El

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, October 2, 2010

1. Temple Beth El Marker

Inscription. Temple Beth El is the oldest building continuously used for Jewish worship in Alabama. Anniston’s Reform Jewish congregation was established in 1888. Its women’s organization, the Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Society, directed the construction of the building in 1893. They raised the money, purchased the lot, organized the building committee of men in the congregation, and named the house of worship Beth El or House of God. Sales of handiwork enabled the women to purchase the stained glass windows. A trio of arched windows, emphasized by decorative brickwork and the domed tower, suggest the influence of ancient Byzantine architecture on the temple, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Erected 2001 by Alabama Historical Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Commission, and the Synagogues series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1888.

Location. 33° 39.664′ N, 85° 49.597′ W. Marker is in Anniston, Alabama, in Calhoun County. It is at the intersection of Quintard Avenue (U.S. 431) and East 13th Street, on the right when traveling north on Quintard Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Anniston AL 36207, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: “Spirit of the American Doughboy” (within shouting distance of this marker); Parker Memorial Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1301 Noble Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1217 Noble Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1213 Noble Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1302 Noble Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1230 Noble Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1224 Noble Street (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Anniston.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, October 2, 2010

2. Temple Beth El Marker

Temple Beth El image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, October 2, 2010

3. Temple Beth El

Temple Beth El's Stain Glass Windows image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim & Renda Carr, October 2, 2010

4. Temple Beth El's Stain Glass Windows

Temple Beth El Sign at Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, February 14, 2012

5. Temple Beth El Sign at Entrance

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, February 14, 2012

6. Temple Beth El

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,511 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 4, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. 5, 6. submitted on March 3, 2012, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.