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JWR VerifiedJWR-2026-000061

Oldest Synagogue in Kentucky

Record holder

Temple Adath IsraelPlace

Record value

Built in 1878

Country: United StatesAchievement location: Owensboro, Kentucky, United StatesAchievement date: 1878Current record

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Temple Adath Israel, Owensboro, Kentucky

Exterior of the surviving Temple Adath Israel synagogue building in Owensboro, Kentucky, photographed 6 February 2013.Nyttend / Wikimedia CommonsSourcePublic Domain

Official record definition

The earliest-built surviving building in Kentucky that was purpose-designed and constructed as a synagogue. Congregation founding date, current Jewish worship use, continuous use and later religious use are outside the metric.

Measurement methodology

Historical chronology of surviving purpose-built synagogue buildings in Kentucky using congregation, architectural-history and Jewish-history sources.

Measurement point: earliest surviving purpose-built synagogue building

Record story

The record for the "Oldest Synagogue in Kentucky" is held by Temple Adath Israel in Owensboro for its historic building, recorded as "Built in 1878". The achievement is defined as the earliest-built surviving building in Kentucky that was purpose-designed and constructed as a synagogue. Architectural history sources identify the surviving structure and give its construction period as 1877–1878, with the record value based on the 1878 completion year.

The basis for the record is the physical survival of the purpose-built structure. Historical research confirmed that earlier synagogue buildings existed in Kentucky, such as the Louisville Adath Israel synagogues from 1849 and 1868, but those buildings do not survive. Other reviewed synagogue buildings in the state, including for Brith Sholom and later Paducah structures, were all constructed after the Owensboro temple. As per the record definition, congregation founding date, current Jewish worship use, and continuous use are outside the metric for this achievement.

Media

How JWR verified this record

Verification date
3 September 2026
Verification standard
JWR Verification Standard 1.0

Achievement evidence

Temple Adath Israel in Owensboro was constructed in 1877–1878 as a purpose-built synagogue. SAH Archipedia identifies the surviving historic building and gives the 1877–1878 construction period; JWR uses 1878 as the completion year for the record value.

Superiority evidence

Kentucky counter-search found earlier Louisville Adath Israel synagogue buildings from 1849 and 1868, but those buildings do not survive. Other reviewed Kentucky synagogue buildings, including Brith Sholom and later Paducah structures, postdate the surviving Owensboro temple.

Jewish Eligibility — Verified by JWR

Jewish eligibility verification

Evidence establishing that the holder qualifies as Jewish for JWR purposes.

  • Temple Adath Israel — ANU Museum of the Jewish People — Synagogues360

Achievement / record verification

Evidence establishing that the holder achieved the result and holds the record as defined.

  • Our History — Temple Adath Israel
  • Temple Adath Israel — SAH Archipedia

Superiority / counter-candidate verification

Evidence comparing the result with other candidates relevant to the record claim.

  • Owensboro, Kentucky Jewish Community Encyclopedia — Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life

Jewish eligibility, achievement and superiority evidence retain their separate classifications and are never merged. Context and provenance are not presented as proof of the achievement. Restricted evidence and internal research notes are never published. Learn more about the seven-stage process on the verification page.

Sources & Verification

  • Our History

    Official recordTemple Adath Israel

    What this proves: States that the Owensboro congregation erected its synagogue in 1877 and documents the congregation's ongoing connection to the building.

  • Temple Adath Israel

    Independent publicationSAH Archipedia

    What this proves: Dates the purpose-built synagogue to 1877–1878 and identifies the surviving historic building.

  • Temple Adath Israel

    Independent publicationANU Museum of the Jewish People — Synagogues360

    What this proves: Identifies the Owensboro synagogue and gives completion in 1877.

  • Owensboro, Kentucky Jewish Community Encyclopedia

    Independent publicationGoldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life

    What this proves: Confirms the congregation's original 1877 temple survives and remains in use.

History

  1. Verified

    Verified according to JWR Verification Standard 1.0.

  2. Publishedv1

    Published to the official JWR registry.

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