Congregation Montefiore Synagogue


The Congregation Montefiore Synagogue is a historic synagogue in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. The synagogue was built in 1903 for the local congregation of Jews who followed Conservative Judaism. In the 1970s, the congregation merged with Congregation B'nai Israel to form Congregation Kol Ami and the building was sold. Currently the former synagogue houses the Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church.

History of the building

The Moorish Revival style synagogue was constructed in 1903. It was built on parcel of land given to the congregation by their fellow congregant Morris Levy. The building cost $9,000, $2,000 of which was donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following World War II, an addition was built to house the congregation's school. The building was sold following the congregation's merger with Congregation B'nai Israel. Beginning in the late 1980s Metro-Fellowship, a Christian church affiliated with Assemblies of God, was housed in the former synagogue. Currently the building is home to the Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church.

History of Congregation Montefiore

This congregation was formed by a group of conservative Jews who had split in the 1880s from Congregation B'nai Israel. The new conservative congregation took the name of Montefiore from Moses Montefiore. The congregation joined the conservative Jewish United Synagogue of America network in 1966. In 1972 the congregation re-merged with Congregation B'nai Israel to form Congregation Kol Ami.