B'nai Israel Synagogue
Also known as: The True Church of God
Why it's listed
This pair of brick buildings at North 12th and Bancroft Streets in Toledo began as the B'nai Israel Synagogue. The sanctuary was built in 1913-14 to designs by Thal & Aftel, with J.G. Bullinger as builder, and a three-story community center and school was added in 1924. The sanctuary reflects the Sullivanesque style, with long twelve-inch bricks, soldier-course detailing, a geometric metal cornice and a tall recessed entry arch topped by tablets recalling the Ten Commandments. Inside, a domed worship space holds original oak pews, large stained glass windows, geometric stenciling and an oak ark with Arts and Crafts columns. At a time when most Toledo churches used Gothic, Classical or Romanesque revival designs, this building took a plainer, modern approach drawn from the Chicago school. It is described as a rare surviving early synagogue in Toledo and now serves as a church, with much of its original interior preserved.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the synagogue is architecturally significant for its unusual Sullivanesque design, uncommon for a religious building in Toledo at the time, combined with Arts and Crafts influence. Its interior remains largely intact, including original pews, stained glass, stenciling and the ark. It also reflects the strength of Toledo's Jewish community in the early twentieth century.
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 05001145, listed October 6, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2146 N. 12th St. at Bancroft St., Toledo |
|---|---|
| County | Lucas County |
| Listed | October 6, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05001145 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913-1924 |
| Architect / builder | Thal & Aftel (architects); J.G. Bullinger (builder) |
| Architectural style | Sullivanesque; Other: Arts & Crafts Movement |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now in use as a church (The True Church of God); the interior is described as remarkably intact. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.66392, -83.53956 (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 05001145.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5160592
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.