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JWR VerifiedFounding RecordJWR-2026-000068

First Synagogue Built in Wisconsin

Record holder

Former Gates of Heaven SynagoguePlace

Record value

Built in 1863

Country: United StatesAchievement location: Madison, Wisconsin, United StatesAchievement date: 1863Current record

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Gates of Heaven Synagogue in Madison, Wisconsin

Gates of Heaven Synagogue, Wisconsin's first purpose-built synagogue, photographed in 2012.James Steakley / Wikimedia CommonsSourceCC BY-SA 3.0

Official record definition

The first building within Wisconsin documented to have been purpose-designed and erected as a synagogue or Jewish house of worship. Later changes of use and relocation undertaken to preserve the original historic structure do not alter the permanent historical FIRST.

Measurement methodology

Historical chronology of purpose-built synagogue construction in Wisconsin using state, federal and Jewish-heritage sources.

Measurement point: first purpose-built synagogue building

Record story

The oldest building in Wisconsin originally built as a synagogue is the former Shaare Shomaim, or Gates of Heaven, in Madison. The structure was "Built in 1863", establishing the record. Its status as the first purpose-built synagogue in the state is confirmed by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Documentation from its National Register of Historic Places nomination independently confirms its design and construction as a synagogue, and notes its dedication on 5 September 1863. A state-level historical search found no earlier qualifying purpose-built synagogue in Wisconsin, with other candidates postdating the 1863 building.

Regular synagogue use ended in the nineteenth century, and the building later served other purposes. To preserve the original historic structure from demolition, it was moved in 1971. This relocation is documented by sources including the American Jewish Historical Society. The building survives and is now maintained by the City of Madison as a public event venue. As defined for the record, these later changes do not alter its permanent status as the historical first.

Media

How JWR verified this record

Verification date
2 September 2026
Verification standard
JWR Verification Standard 1.0

Achievement evidence

Wisconsin Historical Society states that Shaare Shomaim / Gates of Heaven was erected in 1863 as the first synagogue built in Wisconsin. The National Register nomination independently documents its design and construction as a synagogue and its dedication on 5 September 1863.

Superiority evidence

State counter-search found no earlier qualifying purpose-built synagogue in Wisconsin. The qualifying 1863 building is documented by Wisconsin Historical Society as the first synagogue built in the state; later material candidates, including Appleton and Stevens Point, postdate it.

Jewish Eligibility — Verified by JWR

Jewish eligibility verification

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

  • Moving Day: A Wisconsin Synagogue Takes a Stroll — American Jewish Historical Society

Achievement / record verification

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

  • Gates of Heaven Synagogue — Wisconsin Historical Society
  • Gates of Heaven Synagogue National Register nomination — National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places
  • Gates of Heaven Synagogue community directory — Jewish Federation of Madison

Superiority / counter-candidate verification

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

  • Gates of Heaven Synagogue — City of Madison

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

  • Gates of Heaven Synagogue

    Official recordWisconsin Historical Society

    What this proves: States the building was erected in 1863 as the first synagogue built in Wisconsin and confirms that it survives.

  • Gates of Heaven Synagogue National Register nomination

    Independent publicationNational Park Service / National Register of Historic Places

    What this proves: Documents construction as a synagogue and dedication on 5 September 1863.

  • Moving Day: A Wisconsin Synagogue Takes a Stroll

    Independent publicationAmerican Jewish Historical Society

    What this proves: Identifies Gates of Heaven as Wisconsin's oldest synagogue and documents the 1971 relocation that preserved the original structure.

  • Gates of Heaven Synagogue

    Independent publicationCity of Madison

    What this proves: Confirms the preserved 1863 building and its current municipal heritage status.

  • Gates of Heaven Synagogue community directory

    Independent publicationJewish Federation of Madison

    What this proves: Corroborates the building's Jewish heritage identity and current community context.

History

  1. Verified

    Verified according to JWR Verification Standard 1.0.

  2. Publishedv1

    Published to the official JWR registry.

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