Loch Sheldrake Synagogue
Why it's listed
Set on a small lot beside NY Route 52 in Loch Sheldrake, this buff-brick synagogue was built between about 1922 and 1930 for a congregation founded by local Jewish hotel and rooming house owners serving their guests. Architect Okun designed it and John Bullock built it. Its facade is the main decorative element: a projecting stepped-gable pavilion with a tall limestone horseshoe-shaped arch, stained glass, copper-clad doors and small engaged towers. Side and rear walls are plain, and were stuccoed in 1946. Inside are a prayer room with a domed ceiling, a ladies' balcony, a carved ark and stained-glass windows installed from 1974 to 1982. The building is significant for its link to the growth of Jewish resorts in the Catskills after 1919 and for its early twentieth-century synagogue design, which drew on Middle Eastern and Islamic motifs. Despite later changes, it keeps the character-defining features of its type and remains in religious use.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it represents an early twentieth-century synagogue tied to the growth of the Jewish-oriented Catskills resort industry. It was founded in 1922 by local hotel and rooming house owners serving Jewish guests. Its facade, with a horseshoe-shaped arch and flanking engaged towers, reflects an abstracted Middle Eastern idiom typical of 1920s synagogue design.
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 97000844, listed August 12, 1997. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | NY 52, N of jct. of NY 52 and Loch Sheldrake Rd., Loch Sheldrake |
|---|---|
| County | Sullivan County |
| Listed | August 12, 1997 |
| Reference number | 97000844 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c1922-c1930 |
| Architect / builder | Mr. Okun, architect; John Bullock, builder |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a synagogue; the lower level is used for meetings and celebrations. It was altered in 1946, 1967 and 1974-1982 but retains substantial integrity. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.77080, -74.65772 (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 97000844.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14706819
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.