A 300-year-old Jewish community
London’s oldest synagogue lies hidden between office blocks. Its inconspicuousness is not only the result of incessant construction work in the City: when it was founded, Jewish places of worship were not allowed to stand directly on a public thoroughfare. In view of the roaring traffic all around, the sheltered location in a courtyard off the street Bevis Marks is a blessing today both for the congregation and for visitors who come to enjoy a historic and architectural jewel.
After a period of 350 years during which it was prohibited to practise the Jewish religion in England, in 1656 Jews who had been expelled from Spain and Portugal, and had worshipped in London discreetly for several years, established a small synagogue in Creechurch Lane near Bevis Marks. Their community flourished and commissioned Joseph Avis, a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren, to build a new synagogue, which was opened in 1701 and has hardly been changed since then.
Info
Address Bevis Marks, E1 7AA | Public Transport Aldgate (Central, Metropolitan Line) | Hours Mon, Wed, Thu 10.30am–2pm, Tue and Fri 10.30am–1pm,Sun 10.30am–12.30pm | Tip The Jewish Museum in Camden (129 Albert St, Tube to Camden Town, Sun–Thu 10am–5pm, Fri 10am–2pm) presents Jewish culture and the history of Judaism in Britain.
The most striking features inside are the raised reading desk and the ark, a decorated cupboard on the east wall to hold the torah. The ark is made of painted oak with Corinthian columns and beautiful woodcarving. Seven many-branched chandeliers stand for the days of the week, and the twelve columns supporting the women’s gallery symbolise the tribes of Israel. The plain benches at the back are survivals from the old building in Creechurch Lane; the reason why the others are so uncomfortable is said to be that Avis was a Puritan.
In the 19th century the synagogue was almost closed, as the long-established Jewish community had moved out of the City, and poor Jewish immigrants were living further east. Today, services are held early in the morning on weekdays for employees of the surrounding banks. Judaism has been practised in Bevis Marks Synagogue without interruption for over 300 years, making it unique in all of Europe.
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