|
||
|
From
an article on The
Sephardi Congregation of South Manchester:
"The Sephardi (Spanish) tradition of Judaism originated in
Spain and Portugal over 2,000 years ago. Shaare
Rahamim (The Gates of Mercy) Synagogue of the
Withington Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews was
founded in Mauldeth Road in 1904. The Congregation moved to
the current synagogue in Queens Road (now Queenston Road) in
1927. The Synagogue, which was designed with the help of the
architect Joseph Sunlight, is still fondly known as "Queens
Road".
The
Withington congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews dates
from 1904. Before that members went back to Cheetham Hill to
worship. In October 1903, a meeting was held in the Victoria
Hall (probably the one in Lansdowne Street [now Nuneham
Avenue]).
In
April 1904,it was decided to purchase 'Mosley Lodge' on Mauldeth
Road West. In September 1904, the consecration ceremony took
place. The premises originally seated 60 men and 32 women. It
was soon extended and given a gallery.
By
the 1920's, the congregation had expanded too much for the
premises. At the time, its members were moving south to Didsbury
and West Didsbury. A site for a bigger synagogue was purchased
in Queens Road [now Queenston Road] in the Albert Park area of
West Didsbury. In May 1925, the foundation stone was laid. The
building was ready to use by April 1927. It seated 336 men and
240 women and is still in use today. [2014]
Source:
Pereira-Mendoza, J. Historical
record of the Withington Congregation of the Spanish and
Portuguese Jews, 1904-1929.
|