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Temple Emanu-El

Montana's first purpose-built synagogue building, completed in Helena in 1891 and reacquired by the Montana Jewish Project in 2022.

515 North Ewing Street, Helena, Montana 59601, United StatesFounded 1891

Temple Emanu-El building at 515 North Ewing Street in Helena

Robstutz / Wikimedia CommonsSourceCC BY-SA 3.0

About

Temple Emanu-El was designed by Helena architects Frederick Heinlein and Thomas F. Mathias for Congregation Emanu-El. Its cornerstone was laid in the fall of 1890 and the building was completed in 1891. After worship ceased in the 1930s, it served as government and church offices. Despite alterations, the National Register nomination documents excellent facade integrity, surviving towers, stained glass and the 5651 cornerstone. Montana Jewish Project reacquired it in August 2022 for a statewide Jewish community center.

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Records held by Temple Emanu-El

Historic Temple Emanu-El building in Helena, Montana
JWR Verified
Jewish Heritage · SynagoguesFirst

First Purpose-Built Synagogue in Montana

Record holder

Temple Emanu-El

Record value

Cornerstone laid in fall 1890; completed and dedicated in 1891

Temple Emanu-El in Helena became Montana's first purpose-built synagogue when it was completed and dedicated in 1891, after its cornerstone was laid in the fall of 1890. The certified National Register record describes it as both Montana's first Jewish temple and the first synagogue built between St. Paul and Portland. Worship ended in the 1930s and the building was adapted to offices, but its original structure, twin towers, stained glass and Hebrew-calendar cornerstone survived. In August 2022, the Montana Jewish Project reacquired the building and returned it to Jewish community ownership. The record is about original purpose and construction date; it does not claim continuous synagogue use.

Country
United States
Achievement location
Helena, Montana, United States
Achievement date
1891
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