Old Synagogue (Auckland)
Encyclopedia
The Old Synagogue is a 19th century synagogue in Auckland
, New Zealand
. It is now called University House, and is part of the University of Auckland
.
A local Jewish community had been present since the founding of Auckland in 1840. The synagogue building, which blends Moorish and classical elements, was designed and built by Edward Bartley in 1884-1885, and the synagogue opened on 9 November 1885. In 1967 the congregation moved to larger premises on Greys Avenue, overlooking Myers Park
. The old synagogue building was left vacant and deteriorated over the following years, until it was carefully restored in 1989 to serve as a branch of the National Bank
. The University of Auckland began leasing it in 2003, and it now houses the University's External Relations offices.
The building has a Category I listing with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust
.
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. It is now called University House, and is part of the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
.
A local Jewish community had been present since the founding of Auckland in 1840. The synagogue building, which blends Moorish and classical elements, was designed and built by Edward Bartley in 1884-1885, and the synagogue opened on 9 November 1885. In 1967 the congregation moved to larger premises on Greys Avenue, overlooking Myers Park
Myers Park
Myers Park may refer to:*Myers Park, Auckland, New Zealand*Myers Park, Charlotte, North Carolina*Myers Park, Collin County, Texas...
. The old synagogue building was left vacant and deteriorated over the following years, until it was carefully restored in 1989 to serve as a branch of the National Bank
National bank
In banking, the term national bank carries several meanings:* especially in developing countries, a bank owned by the state* an ordinary private bank which operates nationally...
. The University of Auckland began leasing it in 2003, and it now houses the University's External Relations offices.
The building has a Category I listing with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust
New Zealand Historic Places Trust
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust is a non-profit trust that advocates for the protection of ancestral sites and heritage buildings in New Zealand...
.
External links
- Visit us at University House, Alumni and Friends, University of Auckland (with pictures of interior)
- Auckland's Former Synagogue, Heath Design - describes the restoration of the stencils (with pictures)