Broadway Synagogue, Old
Also known as: Congregation Chevra Talmud Torah Anshei Marovi
Why it's listed
Old Broadway Synagogue is a small brick and wood house of worship at 15 Old Broadway in Manhattanville, in upper Manhattan. Designed by Meisner & Uffner in 1922 and consecrated in 1923, it serves Congregation Chevra Talmud Torah Anshei Marovi, founded in 1911 by Eastern European immigrants. The building is about 25 feet wide and 80 feet deep, with a square façade dominated by a two-story Roman arch and a stepped blind arcade in the parapet. Inside, a two-story sanctuary holds wooden pews, balconies used as the ladies gallery, an ornate oak altar and a skylight. The original plans were larger but were scaled back for lack of funds. It is listed for its place in the ethnic, religious and social history of the neighborhood, as the only surviving building still in use as a synagogue there, and as a typical example of the vernacular synagogue style of Manhattan's Lower East Side carried north to West Harlem. It retains much of its original character.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is significant under Criterion A for its link to the ethnic, religious and social history of Manhattanville, and it is the only surviving building still used as a synagogue in the neighborhood. Under Criterion C it represents early twentieth century vernacular synagogue architecture, typical of the small 'folk' synagogues built by New York City's immigrant congregations.
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 01001440, listed January 11, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 15 Old Broadway, New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | January 11, 2002 |
| Reference number | 01001440 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1922-1951 |
| Architect / builder | Meisner & Uffner |
| Architectural style | no style (vernacular synagogue architecture) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, European, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a synagogue; the form reports a high level of architectural integrity, with the façade's stained glass window replaced by a brick wall carved with a Star of David. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 40.81525, -73.95718 (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 01001440.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q12064722
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.