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Property Location
| Location (Address) | 300 E GORHAM ST |
|---|---|
| County | Dane |
| City/Village | Madison |
| Township | |
| Unincorporated community | |
| Town | |
| Range | |
| Direction | |
| Section | |
| Quarter Section | |
| Quarter Quarter Section |
Property Features
| Year Built | 1863 |
|---|---|
| Additions | 1971 |
| Survey Date | 1983 |
| Historic Use | house of worship |
| Architectural Style | Romanesque Revival |
| Structural System | |
| Wall Material | Sandstone |
| Architect | August Kutzbock |
| Other Buildings On Site | |
| Demolished | No |
| Demolished Date | |
| Additional Comments |
A 'site file' (Gate of Heaven Synagogue) exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the State Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. MAP CODE IS 0709-144-0101-6. The Shaare Shomain Synagogue (Gates of Heaven) was Madison's first synagogue. August Kutzbock created the Shaare Shomaim Synagogue (Gates of Heaven Synagogue), now in James Madison Park (north side of E. Gorham St. just northeast of Butler St.). Erected in 1863, this small, one-room synagogue was the first built in Wisconsin and housed its congregation for sixteen years. It originally stood on West Washington Avenue, but the city moved it in 1971 to save it from demolition. Its Romanesque Revival style, an expressly European idiom, found favor with those Jewish congregations who sought to assimilate within the larger culture. (The Moorish style was also popular for American synagogues but conveyed an exotic, Middle Eastern flavor.) In this synagogue, arched windows and arches along the fortress-like battlements and the entry gable unify the design, and rose windows grace both gables. The brick building’s sandstone facade is now eroding because of sandblasting. The building is among the older remaining synagogues in the United States and is open for special events. Madison Landmark: 5/20/74. "This early German Romanesque revival sandstone and brick structure, designed by August Kutzbock and erected in 1863, housed the congregation of Shaare Shomaim for 16 years. It was the first synagogue in Madison and is one of the oldest surviving synagogues in the nation. It also has served as a kindergarten, the Mission Tearoom, a dentist office, the Guild Funeral Home, a Unitarian church, an English Lutheran church, the Church of Christ, and the First Church of Christ, Scientist. When it was threatened with demolition, a group of citizens organized to move the building from its original location at 214 W. Washington Avenue to James Madison Park." Madison's Pioneer Buildings: A Downtown Walking Tour, 1987. |
| Bibliographic References | WISCONSIN WEEKLY PATRIOT 4/11/1863. Wisconsin State Journal, "Old Synagogue Waits Wrecking Crew," sec 2, 07/21/1970. The Capital Times. "Smashing Yesterday," 07/22/1970. Wisconsin State Journal, "Old Synagogue Is Spared, Possible for Six Months," sec 4, 07/23/1970. Wisconsin State Journal, "A Chance for Landmark," pg 6, sec 1, 07/24/1970. The Capital Times, "Historic Synagogue Wins National Listing," 12/10/1970. Wisconsin State Journal, "Plan Unit Votes 5-2 to Save Synagogue," sec 4, 12/22/1970. The Capital Times, "Synagogue Names U.S. Landmark," 12/31/1970. The Capital Times, "Drive Nets $1,013 for synagogue," 10/23/1970. The Capital Times, "Design of Synagogue Here Is Identified," 01/11/1971. Wisconsin State Journal, "Synagogue Examined Before Restoration," 01/25/1971. The Capital Times. "VanHise 6th Graders Select Synagogue for Study Topic," 02/10/1971. Wisconsin State Journal. "HUD Support Is Needed to Save Old Synagogue," 03/03/1971. The Capital Times. "Gates of Heaven Federal Application Submitted," 03/23/1971 Wisconsin State Journal. "Federal Funds Sought for Synagogue," sec 5, 03/24/1971. The Capital Times. "Federal Aid to Save Old Synagogue Sure," 05/21/1971. Wisconsin State Journal, "U.S. Funds Coming to Save Synagogue," Sec 2, 05/25/1971. The Capital Times,"Forster Obstructs City Move to Save Old Synagogue," 06/23/1971. The Capital Times, "The Ill-Mannered Mr. Forster," 06/24/1971. Wisconsin State Journal. "Council Approves Synagogue's Move," sec 4, 06/25/1971. The Capital Times, "Needling 'Praise' for Ald. Forster," 06/29/1971. Wisconsin State Journal, "After 120 Years, What's a Mile or Less?" sec 2, pg 3, 06/26/1971. The Capital Times, "Lone Landowner Fails to block Synagogue Project," 07/3/1971. The Capital Times, "Synagogue Move Put Off One Day," 07/06/1971 Wisconsin State Journal, "Gorham Frontage for Synagogue Out," 07/18/1971 Wisconsin State Journal, "Old Synagogue Is Sure It Won't Be Bulldozed," 07/07/1971. The Capital Times. 07/18/1971 The Capital Times. "Harman Moves to Snarl Gates of Heaven Move," 07/18/1971. The Capital Times. "Park Commission Calls Meeting on Synagogue," 07/13/1971. The Capital Times. 07/13/1971. Wisconsin State Journal, "City Park Gates Open Slowly for Synagogue," sec 4, pg 1, 07/14/1971. The Capital Times, "Synagogue Site Triggers Confused Shouting Spree," 07/14/1971. The Capital Times, 07/16/1971. The Capital Times, "Scores Gather to Watch Synagogue Roll Through City," 07/17/1971. Wisconsin State Journal, "Slowly, Surley, the Old synagogue Shows the Weigh to Go," 7/17/1971. The Capital Times, "The Gates of Heaven Endures," 07/19/1971. The Capital Times, "Many Minds, Many Hands Aided Synagogue's Move," 7/22/1971. The Capital Times, "Voice of the People," 7/28/1971. The Capital Times, "Gates of Heaven Materials Delivered," 9/10/1971 Wisconsin State Journal, "Slow Work on synagogue Miffs Official," sec 6, pg 1, 10/7/1971 Wisconsin Then and Now, "Century-Old Synagogue Saved Through Teamwork of Madison and Private Group," 11/1971. Wisconsin State Journal, "Environmental Lobby Use Is Proposed for Old Synagogue," sec 8, pg 1, 12/16/1971. Wisconsin State Journal, "Application Set Soon on Funds for Synagogue," 1/27/72. WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL 2/20/1994, P. 2G. WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL 8/12/1996. Wisconsin State Journal 6/12/1998. Wisconsin State Journal 7/16/2011, pp. A1 and A8. Buildings of Wisconsin manuscript. Sandstone and Buffalo Robes: Madison's historic buildings, third edition, 1975. Madison's Pioneer Buildings: A Downtown Walking Tour, 1987. |
National And State Register Of Historic Places Listings
| National/State Register Listing Name | Old Synagogue |
|---|---|
| National Register Listing Date | Dec 29, 1970 |
| State Register Listing Date | Jan 01, 1989 |
| Contributing |
Architecture & History Inventory
The Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory (AHI) is a digital source of information on historic buildings, structures, and objects that have been surveyed by the State Historic Preservation Office in Wisconsin. Each property has a digital record providing basic information about the property and images.
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For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
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For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Access Property Records
Some properties have more materials (correspondence, clippings, historical information, etc.) not in the digital record. If a 'Site File' exists, it's noted in the 'Additional Comments' field. Contact us for an appointment to view these materials.
Gates of Heaven Synagogue
July 1971
Interior of the Gates of Heaven Synagogue at James Madison Park. Bob Freeman and Jim Harris are inspecting the interior of the structure after it was moved from its original location on the 200 bl...
Gates of Heaven Synagogue
July 17, 1971
The moving of the Gates of Heaven Synagogue from West Washington Avenue to James Madison Park. Crowds line the streets, and a crane is in the background.
Gates of Heaven Detail
June 14, 1970
Detail on the building at 214 West Washington Avenue that, over the years, has been the first synagogue in Madison (Shaare Shomaim or Gates of Heaven), a school, a funeral parlor, a dentist office,...
Moving the Gates of Heaven Synagogue Building
July 17, 1971
The moving of the Gates of Heaven Synagogue building from West Washington Avenue to James Madison Park.
E. Gorham St. at N. Butler St.
70000030
Located in Madison, Dane County
Gates of Heaven Synagogue
1974
The "Gates of Heaven Synagogue" at James Madison Park.
