Jefferson Avenue Shul

Jewish-American History in Buffalo - Table of Contents........................... East Side - Table of Contents

2012 photos
Jefferson Avenue Shul - DEMOLISHED OCTOBER 2014
Formal name: Ahavas Sholem Synagogue
407 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY

Erected:
1903

Style:
Moorish Revival

Architects:
A. E. Minks & Son

1903 cost:
$28,000

Original seating capacity:
700

Last year the building functioned as a house of worship:
1962

2013 Distinction:
Oldest synagogue building still standing in Buffalo

Status:
City of Buffalo Local Landmark (1997)

For other information:
Tim Tielman, et. al., Local Landmark Designation Application

Tim Tielman, et. al., Local Landmark Designation Application

David Torke, City's Oldest Synagogue Threatened With Demolition February 2012 Fix Buffalo article (online Jan. 2013)

Elizabeth Licata, Preservation Ready: Jefferson Avenue Shul. May 2012 Buffalo Spree article (online Jan. 2013) (online Jan. 2013)

Photograph courtesy of David Torke. See his Fix Buffalo photos and report in City's Oldest Synagogue Threatened With Demolition (online Jan. 2013).

Note two Stars of David.

Photograph courtesy of David Torke. See his Fix Buffalo photos and report in City's Oldest Synagogue Threatened With Demolition (online Jan. 2013).
14 columns support the balcony where women would have sat.

South elevation at right with dark brick and gable roof

"In its day, the Jefferson Avenue Shul was known as the most stylish of the urban synagogues. It could seat as many as 700 on high holidays, and its officers were known to wear cutaways and silk hats." *

3 bays.

"... grand sheet metal onion dome surmounting the roof’s elaborate cornice." *

Buff colored brick ... Bull's eye windows surrounded by brick header hoodmold and rowlock arch

Sheet metal finial (upper left) ... Sheet metal cornice supported by pressed sheet metal corbel table ... String course with brick support ... Top of brick header hoodmold and rowlock arch

Pointed Gothic brick arch hoodmold

"... a large round window above the entrance that once was in the shape of a Star of David" *

The plywood Christian cross symbolized the reuse of the synagogue ... Circular corbeled brick window surround

Entrance: Corbeled brick hood mold ... Brick compound arch ... Round window originally featured the Star of David

Flanking entrance: Corbel table supporting string course

Stone sill in upper left ... Corbel table supporting string course ... Painted stone lintel in lower left

North East Elevations

3 entrances: main door for entrance into the sanctuary, other two doors for entrance into balcony, dining hall or kitchen.

Corbel table supporting string courses above window

Corbel table supporting string course ... Rowlock arch above window ...Medina sandstone sill ... Across the street: Buffalo Municipal row houses

Corbel table supporting string course ... Rowlock arch

Earlier Italianate style section (orange brick) at left: Diamond pattern stained glass window ... Medina sandstone sill

* All caption quotes culled, with permission, from Elizabeth Licata's May 2012 Buffalo Spree article entitled Preservation Ready: Jefferson Avenue Shul

web site consulting by ingenious, inc.

Erected:	1903
Style:	Moorish Revival
Architects:	A. E. Minks & Son
1903 cost:	$28,000
Original seating capacity:	700
Last year the building functioned as a house of worship:	1962
2013 Distinction:	Oldest synagogue building still standing in Buffalo
Status:	City of Buffalo Local Landmark (1997)
For other information:	Tim Tielman, et. al., Local Landmark Designation Application Tim Tielman, et. al., Local Landmark Designation Application David Torke, City's Oldest Synagogue Threatened With Demolition February 2012 Fix Buffalo article (online Jan. 2013) Elizabeth Licata, Preservation Ready: Jefferson Avenue Shul. May 2012 Buffalo Spree article (online Jan. 2013) (online Jan. 2013)