Middle Street
Middle Street Synagogue
AN ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE SAVED FOR NATION
The historic Middle Street Synagogue is to receive new life in the year ahead. English Heritage who have supported this vast project throughout are extremely enthusiastic for the preservation of this building which today showcases the many high points of the Victorian arts and crafts movement.
The community trustees have great pleasure in announcing that a major programme of building renovation works will commence imminently and continue well into next year. Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation's Board of Directors additionally hope to commence the complete internal restoration of the building also.
When completed it will be the finest building of it’s kind on the English Heritage list and a worthy addition to the many other exceptional historical buildings in the city of Brighton & Hove. It is the finest example of its kind to be seen anywhere in Britain today.
The building, originally designed by local architect Thomas Lainson, has been listed for decades for it’s fine interior which features a jaw-dropping riot of period stained glass windows, decorative architectural iron and brasswork, mosaic wall panels and much else.
The formal Brighton Jewish community dates back to at least 1780 and has continuously played an integral and harmonious part in the growth of Brighton as a city over the centuries. It has benefited from connections with the Sassoon family, Daniel Eliason (London owner of the Hope Diamond following the French Revolution) and the 19th century philanthropist Sir Moses Montifiore amongst many others. Famous statesmen, aristocrats, authors, composers and artists have all stepped through the doors and been a part of the community over the years.
Popular regionally and internationally
For the past dozen years the doors have been opened to the general public to enjoy the sights several times each year including throughout the Brighton Festival month. Regular educational tours are given for school groups of all ages from around Sussex. Other artistic, photographic, historical and charitable groups also visit regularly.
The building contains many memories and people regularly visit from across the globe to see where, for example, their great great-grandfather once came. We have an extensive historical archive stretching back to the beginnings of the 19th century and a vast library of books connected with the building some of which date back to reign of King George III.
Much to be done
Our almost constant sea breezes have taken their toll on the façade and side elevations over the past 134 years and much remediatory works are to be done. Internally the building is structurally sound and physically complete. In due course the full interior will be restored.
Changing tastes and fashions altered certain parts during the 20th century. The Grand Lobby was originally a rich Victorian green with Puginesque red and yellow terracotta floor tiles, fine English oak detailing and a mahogany and gold-leaf balustrade. Today the walls are blue and white and the gold balustrades are under dark brown paint but the green and gilding is all still there today, just under several layers! In the main hall all the exceptional Victorian brass work will need to be stripped of it’s darkened 1960s gold paint, repolished and relacquered to its oriignal appearance. All the fine English wrought iron railings will be stripped of the white paint added in the 1960s to reinstate their original Victorian black lacquered splendour. The stained glass windows all need the periodic half-century maintenance demanded by the lead framework.
A virtual tour
Until the works are completed only virtual tours are possible. We have a website with extensive information to download for free. There is also an interactive 3D photographic presentation by local photographer Duncan McNeill and this can all be seen at www.bhhc-shul.org\middlestreet . We have an extensive photographic group online also ( www.flickr.com/groups/middlestreet ) also a YouTube presence (www.youtube.com\middlestreet) and there is a “friends of” group on Facebook too.
More than a Museum
This is a living building still in use by the community. The eventual details of the building to become a cultural and architectural educational resource to the wider community regionally are still being fine tuned and will be announced in the months ahead. It is not intended that it will ever become some silent static museum piece however.
Sponsors and benefactors for this most worthy of local and regional heritage project are needed and get in touch if you can assist in any way.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Restoration of Middle Street Synagogue by:
Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation
29-31 New Church Road
Hove, East Sussex
Tel: +44 (0)1273 888855
Email: office@bhhc-shul.org
Note to editors:
1 The fascinating history of the Middle Street Synagogue and its amazing range of artefacts make for fascinating articles. We are happy to write articles to your requirements in terms of content, length, deadline and can also supply photographs.
Middle Street Synagogue
AN ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE SAVED FOR NATION
The historic Middle Street Synagogue is to receive new life in the year ahead. English Heritage who have supported this vast project throughout are extremely enthusiastic for the preservation of this building which today showcases the many high points of the Victorian arts and crafts movement.
The community trustees have great pleasure in announcing that a major programme of building renovation works will commence imminently and continue well into next year. Brighton and Hove Hebrew Congregation's Board of Directors additionally hope to commence the complete internal restoration of the building also.
When completed it will be the finest building of it’s kind on the English Heritage list and a worthy addition to the many other exceptional historical buildings in the city of Brighton & Hove. It is the finest example of its kind to be seen anywhere in Britain today.
The building, originally designed by local architect Thomas Lainson, has been listed for decades for it’s fine interior which features a jaw-dropping riot of period stained glass windows, decorative architectural iron and brasswork, mosaic wall panels and much else.
The formal Brighton Jewish community dates back to at least 1780 and has continuously played an integral and harmonious part in the growth of Brighton as a city over the centuries. It has benefited from connections with the Sassoon family, Daniel Eliason (London owner of the Hope Diamond following the French Revolution) and the 19th century philanthropist Sir Moses Montifiore amongst many others. Famous statesmen, aristocrats, authors, composers and artists have all stepped through the doors and been a part of the community over the years.
Popular regionally and internationally
For the past dozen years the doors have been opened to the general public to enjoy the sights several times each year including throughout the Brighton Festival month. Regular educational tours are given for school groups of all ages from around Sussex. Other artistic, photographic, historical and charitable groups also visit regularly.
The building contains many memories and people regularly visit from across the globe to see where, for example, their great great-grandfather once came. We have an extensive historical archive stretching back to the beginnings of the 19th century and a vast library of books connected with the building some of which date back to reign of King George III.
Much to be done
Our almost constant sea breezes have taken their toll on the façade and side elevations over the past 134 years and much remediatory works are to be done. Internally the building is structurally sound and physically complete. In due course the full interior will be restored.
Changing tastes and fashions altered certain parts during the 20th century. The Grand Lobby was originally a rich Victorian green with Puginesque red and yellow terracotta floor tiles, fine English oak detailing and a mahogany and gold-leaf balustrade. Today the walls are blue and white and the gold balustrades are under dark brown paint but the green and gilding is all still there today, just under several layers! In the main hall all the exceptional Victorian brass work will need to be stripped of it’s darkened 1960s gold paint, repolished and relacquered to its oriignal appearance. All the fine English wrought iron railings will be stripped of the white paint added in the 1960s to reinstate their original Victorian black lacquered splendour. The stained glass windows all need the periodic half-century maintenance demanded by the lead framework.
A virtual tour
Until the works are completed only virtual tours are possible. We have a website with extensive information to download for free. There is also an interactive 3D photographic presentation by local photographer Duncan McNeill and this can all be seen at www.bhhc-shul.org\middlestreet . We have an extensive photographic group online also ( www.flickr.com/groups/middlestreet ) also a YouTube presence (www.youtube.com\middlestreet) and there is a “friends of” group on Facebook too.
More than a Museum
This is a living building still in use by the community. The eventual details of the building to become a cultural and architectural educational resource to the wider community regionally are still being fine tuned and will be announced in the months ahead. It is not intended that it will ever become some silent static museum piece however.
Sponsors and benefactors for this most worthy of local and regional heritage project are needed and get in touch if you can assist in any way.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Restoration of Middle Street Synagogue by:
Brighton & Hove Hebrew Congregation
29-31 New Church Road
Hove, East Sussex
Tel: +44 (0)1273 888855
Email: office@bhhc-shul.org
Note to editors:
1 The fascinating history of the Middle Street Synagogue and its amazing range of artefacts make for fascinating articles. We are happy to write articles to your requirements in terms of content, length, deadline and can also supply photographs.