Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-19
Handsome Structure to Replace the
Eighth Street Synagogue.
ELABORATE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
The Probable Cost of the Edifice
Placed at $4,000.
RABBITS SILVER JUBILEE


Congregation, which is to be erected on
the site of the structure used by them for
generation past, Sth street near H,
will, it is intended, be such an edifice as
will reflect credit upon the enterprise of
the members, and worthy to be ranked
with any house of worship In Washington
While the contract price for the building
was about s6O.OOO, The Star is informed
that the architects, Messrs. Stutz and
Pease, will be authorized to spend nearly
or quite as much more in furnishings and
in interior decorations, the organ alone to
cost not less than $1,000 The entire ex-
penditure to be incurred will, 1t is ex-
pected, be from 800, 900 to $4,000, and, SO
far it will be possible to do so, all the
material will be purchased from and work
executed by residents of the District of
Columbia.
AS above stated, the new temple will be
located on the site of the present struc-
Iure, SO far as that will admit, but addi-
tional ground has been secured to allow
the building to have frontage of ~ feet
and depth of 100 feet
Architectural Design.
The building will be monumental, pos
sessing the characteristic dignity and rich
ness of the eastern style of architecture
and suggestive of the ancient traditions of
the Jewish faith, arranged and adapted to
conform to modern requirements.
The two towers, with belvederes 1876 feet
above the sidewalk, and the semi-circular
window, 30 feet in diameter, in the center
portion of the facade. filled with stone
tracery and the Shield of David. with the
broad treatment of lines and proportions,
will render the whole attractive and beau
tiful, an ornament to the city, of which
the Hebrew congregation may well be
proud.
The front and towers will be faced with
granite and Berea sandstone, with granite
b@sSe course, entrance steps and platforms.
The entrance story will be devoted to
school rooms. assembly hall, library, jani
tors and toilet rooms. Fire-proof vaults
will also be constructed to insure the safety
of records and vestments.
The school rooms will be SO arranged
and divided by folding glazed partitions
that they may all be converted into one
large room. The main entrance vesti-
bules will have tiled floors, and two fire.
proof staircases will lead to the auditorium
vesibule and to the galleries. Fire-proof
staircases at rear will lead from the en-
trance story to the auditorium and choir
gallery.
From the vesubule four large entrances
will open into the auditorium, which is
lighted by large circular windows on the
four sides, and from the spacious dome
forty-five feet in diameter, which Is the
chef de ouvre'' Of a temple. and is sup
ported by four columns, arched between,
and all producing grained arch effect
Around three sides will be spacious gal
leries, and at the sides of the altar, organ
and choir galleries.
Stained Glass for Lighting.
The auditorium will be lighted by stained
glass Of ornamental and appropriate de-
sign in windows and dome. the whole FRO
ducing a subdued and uniform illumina-
ton At night the entire temple may be
81 md clL
tricity.
Adjacent to the auditorium will be the
rabbits room, easily accessible, and rooms
for the accommodation of the officers, with
toilet rooms adjacent.
The interior of the temple will be high
ly finished in hardwood and plaster, CT
namented and enriched, and susceptible OF
fine decoration in color. The dome roof
and roofs Of towers will be covered with
copper, gilded, and the finals will be bur-
nshed
In the cellar the steam heating and VEN
tiIating apparatus will be placed, with am
pie facilities for storage Of coal.
The temple will provide seating for about
] $50 persons.
The accepted design is the result Of COM
petition entered into by several local. ar
chitects. Messrs. Lewis F. StutZ and
Frank w. Pease won the prize purely on
the merits of their design, and the numer-
Gus favorable Communications received by
the building committee Of the congrega-
carrying out the details Of fitting the tenn
Pile ready for service.
The Congregation.
The Hebrew congregation was chartered
uLder ehe laws Of Congress in 1854, but
1t was not until some months later that
an organization was fully accomplished.
At this time there were sixty male mem
bers, among whom were I. L. Blout H.
King jr, 8. Fishman. s. Heller, L. Rosen-
berg NJ. Hoffa, H. Hofra s. Herman, j. p.
Herman. H. Franc. G. Lansburgh, W.
Gersdorf, w. Wolf, H. Strasberger, a.
Strasberger, NJ. Cohen, L. Barr, H. L.
Blout, w. Nordlinger. 8. N. Meyer, NJ OPP
penheimer and Adolf Adler, A. g. Solo
mons. s. Samstag, N. Siegel of New York,
B. Kaufman Of Chicago and E. Kaufman
of Baltimore.
Until 1853, when the building which is
about to be torn down was purchased from
the Southern Methodists. the society met
in various halls In the central portion of
the city. In 1870 the majority OF the so-
ciety voted to have pews, a choir and an
organ. In consequence Of which a number
| Of those who held extreme orthodox views
/ on those subjects withdrew, and formed
| the congregation which now worships IN
| the hall at the corner OF 9th and G streets
| northwest.
Until the new temple is completed. which
| 1t II expected wth require about . year.