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

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 8, 2012

1. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Marker

Inscription. Has Been Designated A
National
Historic Landmark
This Site Possesses National Significance
in Commemorating the History of the
United States of America

1980
Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service
United States Department of the Interior

(Lower Plaque)
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim
Founded 1749
Has Been Placed On The
National Register
of Historic Places
By The United States
Department of the Interior (Marker Number #78002499.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1980.

Location. 32° 46.924′ N, 79° 55.968′ W. Marker is in Charleston, South Carolina, in Charleston County. Marker is on Hasell Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 90 Hasell Street, Charleston SC 29401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim (here, next to this marker); St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church

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(a few steps from this marker); Riviera Theatre (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); A History of Courtenay Square (about 600 feet away); City Market (about 600 feet away); Charleston City Market (about 600 feet away); Market Hall and Sheds (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charleston.

Regarding Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim. (Beth Elohim Synagogue) Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim possesses national significance as the birthplace, in 1824, of Reform Judaism in America. Originated by German Jews in the early 1800s, the Reform Movement spread rapidly through central Europe and to the United States, where it led to radical changes in Jewish doctrine during the remainder of the 19th century. The influx of German, Austrian, and Bavarian Jews that began in 1836 and continued into the 1890s was a major factor in the success of American Reform. Thus Beth Elohim’s pioneering role is accentuated both because the reform group arose within an Orthodox and mainly Sephardic community and because it antedated the first large-scale Ashkenazic immigration by more than a decade. Congregation

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 8, 2012

2. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Markers

seen at 90 Hasell Street

Beth Elohim, established in 1749, is the nation’s fourth oldest Jewish community. Its present house of worship, a fine Greek Revival structure, erected in 1840, is the second oldest synagogue extant in the country and the oldest in continuous use. Listed in the National Register April 4, 1978; Designated a National Historic Landmark June 19, 1980.(South Carolina Department of Archives and History)

National Register of Historic Places:
Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue *** (added 1978 - - #78002499)
Also known as Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim;Congregation Beth Elohim;Beth Elohi
90 Hasell St. , Charleston
♦ Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
♦ Architect, builder, or engineer: Lopez,David L., Warner,Cyrus L.
♦ Architectural Style: Other
♦ Area of Significance: Architecture, Religion
♦ Period of Significance: 1825-1849
♦ Historic Function: Religion
♦ Historic Sub-function: Religious Structure
♦ Current Function: Religion

Photographed By Mike Stroud, January 8, 2012

3. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Marker

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim image. Click for full size.

S.C. Department of Archives and History, April 9, 2007

4. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, Interior-Bimah image. Click for full size.

S.C. Department of Archives and History

5. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue, Interior-Bimah

Historic American Buildings Survey John P. O'Neill, March 1938

6. Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim

Historic American Engineering Record: Habs SC,10-CHAR,41--2

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 25, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 25, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.