Temple, The
Why it's listed
Set on a hill back from Peachtree Street in Atlanta, this red brick synagogue was completed in 1931 to designs by architect Philip T. Shutze. A pedimented portico with Ionic columns fronts the sanctuary, which is topped by a colonnaded drum dome with stained glass. Inside, plaster ornament blends classical motifs such as the anthemion and egg and dart with symbols drawn from Jewish history and faith, worked out by Shutze with the congregation's rabbi, David Marx. The building is the third home of Atlanta's oldest Jewish congregation, which began as the Hebrew Benevolent Society in 1860, and it is the oldest surviving synagogue in the city. The congregation supported education, labor reform and interfaith ties, and its rabbi Jacob Rothchild spoke out for civil rights, which led to a 1958 bombing that damaged the building. Rear additions and remodeling followed in 1949 and 1959.
Significance in brief: It is presented as a fine classical religious building with an elaborate interior that combines classical motifs and Jewish iconography. It is the home of Atlanta's oldest Jewish congregation, founded in 1860, and the oldest existing synagogue in Atlanta. It is also tied to the congregation's community involvement and civil rights support.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82002420, listed September 9, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1589 Peachtree St., Atlanta |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | September 9, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82002420 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1931, 1959 |
| Architect / builder | Philip T. Shutze, Architect |
| Architectural style | Classically inspired |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion, Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in religious use; altered by a 1949 rear addition, a 1959 education building and remodeling after a 1958 bombing. |
| Acreage | 3 |
| Coordinates | 33.79801, -84.38901 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Religious properties are listed for their architectural or historical significance, not their religious use. Listing is honorary and does not restrict the congregation's use of the building. The federal rehabilitation credit is generally unavailable unless part of the building is income-producing; some state programmes and preservation grants do cover religious buildings. Federal funding or permits trigger Section 106 review.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82002420.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7768348
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.