Aqudas Achim Synagogue
Why it's listed
Agudas Achim Synagogue is a small Catskills house of worship on Rock Avenue in Livingston Manor, Sullivan County. Completed in 1924 by the Brooks brothers, local builders, it rises one story above a raised basement and is covered in rough stucco set with small pieces of colored glass. A steep gable roof, Gothic-arched windows with Star of David motifs and a projecting two-story entrance pavilion with small turrets define its look. Inside, a plain sanctuary follows the Eastern European plan, with a central bimah, pews on three sides and a curving women's gallery. The basement vestry hosted daily prayers, winter services and community gatherings. The building reflects the Jewish merchants, tradespeople and resort proprietors who settled in the village in the early twentieth century and who united secular and religious members behind one congregation. It is one of sixteen synagogues built in the county before 1930, and its exceptional integrity, with only minor window and heating changes, supports its recognition for architecture and social history.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an outstanding early twentieth century synagogue in Sullivan County, notable for its eclectic design combining Eastern European orthodox traditions, mainstream American synagogue forms and regional church architecture. It is also tied to the history of the Jewish community that served the Catskill resort industry. It retains an exceptionally high level of exterior and interior integrity.
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 98001404, listed November 19, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Rock Ave., Livingston Manor |
|---|---|
| County | Sullivan County |
| Listed | November 19, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98001404 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1924 |
| Architect / builder | Izzy Brooks, builder |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th century revivals |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a religious facility; the congregation has recently moved from orthodox to reform affiliation, and the building is virtually unchanged. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.90089, -74.82397 (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 98001404.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4694518
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.