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Temple Freda (Bryan, Texas)

Temple Freda
The former synagogue, Temple Freda, in 2012
Temple Freda is located in Texas
Temple Freda
Temple Freda
Temple Freda is located in the United States
Temple Freda
Temple Freda
Location205 Parker St.,
Bryan, Texas
Coordinates30°40′20″N 96°22′29″W / 30.67222°N 96.37472°W / 30.67222; -96.37472
Arealess than one acre
Built1912 (1912)
ArchitectGreen & Finger Company
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.83003128[1]
Added to NRHPSeptember 22, 1983

Temple Freda, built in 1912, is a former synagogue in Bryan, Texas, in the United States.[2] The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 22, 1983.

History

Temple Freda, a part of Brazos County, Texas history, is one of the three oldest religious buildings still in use in Bryan, along with St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and St. Anthony's Catholic Church.[3] Temple Freda is named for Ethel Freda Kaczer (1860–1912). Her husband, Benjamin Kaczer (1850–1938), was president of the community when the synagogue was built.[3] The temple is unique for a Jewish place of worship in that it is named after a woman.[2][4]

Since 1982, Texas A&M University's Center of Heritage Conservation has focused on the history of Temple Freda as one of its historical projects. The temple structure is built in Greek Revival style[5] and also exhibits Classical Revival style with Beaux-Arts architecture elements.[2]

The building began to decline after World War II when worshippers began migrating over to the newer student-oriented Hillel synagogue in College Station.[6] In 2013, a group of citizens from Bryan, Texas joined together to restore the deteriorating building. The City of Bryan became acting custodian over the restoration project.[6] It was determined that after restoration, the building would not be used as a religious facility rather it will be used for community activities such as weddings, small receptions, educational activities and the like.[6]

Texas A&M Hillel

In 1958, Texas A&M Hillel opened up a building in College Station, Texas. During this period, some members of Temple Freda in Bryan, Texas left to attend services at the Hillel Foundation building in College Station. Presently, Temple Freda's Torah is under the care of Texas A&M Hillel.[7]

Congregation Beth Shalom

Main article: History of the Jews in Brazos County, Texas

In 1968 Congregation Beth Shalom in Bryan, also called the Jewish Congregation of Bryan-College Station, was formed to serve the Jewish community of the Brazos Valley. It included many former members of Temple Freda. Presently Temple Freda's Cemetery is under the care of Congregation Beth Shalom.

Architecture project

Since 1982, Texas A&M University's "Center of Heritage Conservation" has focused on the history of Temple Freda as one of its historical projects. The temple structure is built in Greek Revival style[5] and also exhibits Classical Revival style with Beaux-Arts architecture elements.[2] Temple Freda is associated with the Jewish cemetery "Temple Freda Cemetery"[8] and is also a part of the National Register of Historic Places of Texas.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d International Survey of Jewish Monuments record for Freda Temple
  3. ^ a b "A Guide to Historic Brazos Valley" (PDF). Brazos Heritage Society. 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2008. Retrieved 2007-10-22.
  4. ^ Temple Freda, Bryan, Texas
  5. ^ a b Texas A&M University College of Architecture Projects
  6. ^ a b c "The Jewish Community in Bryan and Birth of a Synagogue". The Temple Freda Project. Brazos Heritage Society. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  7. ^ Lone Stars of David: The Jews of Texas Brandeis University Press page 191
  8. ^ Temple Freda Burials, Bryan, TX
  9. ^ National Register of Historic Places of Texas

Further reading

Media related to Temple Freda at Wikimedia Commons

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