Temple on the Heights
Also known as: The Civic
Why it's listed
Built in 1925-27 on Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights, Temple on the Heights is a large brick, stone and pre-cast concrete synagogue designed by Boston architect Charles R. Greco. Its eclectic look draws on Byzantine, Romanesque and Mission themes, with a red terra cotta tile roof, a twelve-sided banded dome over a square sanctuary, and a five-arched entry loggia with carved capitals. A west wing was added in 1956-59. The building was the third synagogue of Congregation B'nai Jeshurun, a Conservative group whose homes of worship followed Cleveland's Jewish community eastward over about a century. It is valued both for that story and as one of only two Cleveland examples of Greco's religious architecture. Its conventional Neo-Byzantine design contrasts with his more modern eclectic temple for the Reform Tifereth Israel congregation. Sold in 1980, the 110,000-square-foot building now operates as The Civic, a multi-use rental complex that also serves as a privately maintained civic center for the city.
Significance in brief: The building is argued to be significant as an emblem of the growth and eastward movement of Cleveland's Jewish population, as told through Congregation B'nai Jeshurun. It is also one of only two examples in Cleveland of religious architecture by Boston architect Charles R. Greco. Its conventional Neo-Byzantine design is contrasted with Greco's more eclectic temple for the Reform Tifereth Israel congregation, reflecting the religious diversity of Cleveland's Jews.
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 84003653, listed March 29, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 3130 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland Heights |
|---|---|
| County | Cuyahoga County |
| Listed | March 29, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84003653 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific dates 1924-27; 1956-59) |
| Architect / builder | Charles R. Greco |
| Architectural style | Eclectic, with Byzantine, Romanesque and Mission-style themes; described as Neo-Byzantine |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Religion |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent and altered; occupied. Sold in 1980 by the congregation and now marketed as The Civic, a multi-use complex rented to commercial and non-profit educational, arts and civic groups. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Forest Hill Park |
| Coordinates | 41.51600, -81.57220 (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 84003653.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q137714177
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.