Formerly located on Schultz Street in Winnipeg, a two-storey wood frame building, measuring 50 feet by 80 feet, was designed by local architect Johann “John” Schwab. It was built in 1904 as a synagogue for the House of Jacob Congregation, with a seating capacity of about 900 people at a cost of about $8,000. It opened officially on 4 September 1904.
Used until the early 1960s, the building was demolished in 1967 in conjunction with the Lord Selkirk Park housing development.
House of Jacob Synagogue (1948)
Source: Jewish Historical Society of Western Canada #1231, Archives of Manitoba
House of Jacob Synagogue (1960)
Source: Winnipeg Free Press, 5 March 1960, page 23.Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90940, W97.13712
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Johann “John” Schwab (1864-1931)
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 405/1904, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“The House of Jacob,” Manitoba Free Press, 26 March 1904, page 28.
“Opening of Synagogue Sunday,” Winnipeg Telegram, 5 September 1904, page 7.
“Congregation of the House of Jacob,” Winnipeg Telegram, 17 December 1904, page 6.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #266 September 1917, Library and Archives Canada.
“Early synagogue has anniversary,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 January 1938, page 16.
“Synagogue calls day for morning,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 August 1953, page 14.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #266 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Busy Jewish congregation,” Winnipeg Free Press, 18 January 1958, page 31.
“A leading Jewish institution,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 March 1960, page 23.
“Practical form of neighbourhood love,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 November 1963, page 20.
“Old building,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 June 1970, page 53.
Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950 by Robert G. Hill, Toronto.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
“Lost Winnipeg” by Robert Galston, The Uniter, 17 July 2009.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk.
Page revised: 1 December 2024
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