Agudas Achim Anshei Sfard Synagogue
Why it's listed
Built in 1912 on Adams Street in Newton's Nonantum neighborhood, this small brick synagogue was erected by the congregation of Agudas Achim Anshei Sfard, chartered in 1911 and now the oldest existing Jewish congregation in the city. Jewish immigrants began settling in Nonantum in the 1890s, alongside Irish, Italian and French Canadian neighbors. The congregants were far from wealthy and gave according to their means, with further gifts from Jacob Schiff and from non-Jewish local figures. Much of the construction was done by members, some of them skilled artisans. The one-story building has a pressed red brick facade with quoins, a round-arched entry, an oculus holding a Star of David, and tall arched windows. Steps were added in 1919, and the interior was finished in 1924 with the Holy Ark and bimah. The building remains virtually unchanged, and descendants of the founders still worship there.
Significance in brief: It is the home of the oldest extant Jewish congregation in Newton, which makes it significant for its link to early Jewish immigration to the city. It is also an intact example of a small early synagogue that reflects the size and means of a congregation in the early twentieth century.
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 90000035, listed February 16, 1990. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 168 Adams St., Newton |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | February 16, 1990 |
| Reference number | 90000035 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Architect and builder unknown; much of the work was done by congregants. The Holy Ark and bimah (1924) were designed by Samuel Katz. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | In use as a synagogue, in good condition, with no major alterations apart from the installation of plumbing; the congregation continues to worship there for holidays. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 42.35919, -71.20096 (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 90000035.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14715382
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.