Stanton Street Shul
Also known as: Congregation Bnai Jacob Anschei Brzezan; Congregation Bnai Joseph Anschei Brzezan
Why it's listed
Built in 1913 at 180 Stanton Street on the Lower East Side, this three-story synagogue was created for Congregation Bnai Jacob Anschei Brzezan, founded in 1894 by immigrants from Brzezany in Galicia. Its buff brick facade has cast-stone piers, a pediment with egg-and-dart molding, a Hebrew inscription and Star of David windows. Inside, a second-floor vestibule leads to a long, narrow sanctuary with pressed-metal ceilings, side galleries, a wooden ark and twelve murals of the Hebrew months shown as zodiac signs. The building fits the 20-by-100-foot lot typical of the tenement blocks where its congregants lived. Hundreds of such synagogues once served the neighborhood, and it is now one of only a dozen or so still functioning there. It was listed for its role in the area's Jewish immigrant history and as an intact example of vernacular synagogue design. It has remained in continuous use as a synagogue since construction.
Significance in brief: It is significant under Criterion A for ethnic heritage and religion as one of the few surviving early 20th century "tenement synagogues" on the Lower East Side. It is significant under Criterion C as an intact vernacular synagogue adapted to the narrow 20-by-100-foot tenement lot. It also reflects the Eastern European Jewish immigrant community, here from Brzezany in Galicia.
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 02001116, listed October 10, 2002. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 180 Stanton St., New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | October 10, 2002 |
| Reference number | 02001116 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913-1952 |
| Architect / builder | Sheinart, Louis A. |
| Architectural style | No style (early 20th century American vernacular synagogue design combining classical ornamentation with Judaic influence) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, European, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still functions as a synagogue and has been continuously maintained as one since 1913; retains a high degree of integrity, with some repainting of murals and partial replacement of original colored glass. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.72022, -73.98396 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 02001116.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7600277
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.