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Temple Israel · 201 Lenox Avenue
Temple Israel
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Lenox Avenue and 120th Street. Temple Israel, detail of ark, interior.

1905

Temple Israel

Lenox Avenue and 120th Street. Temple Israel, detail of ark, interior.

IMAGE DATE1905
FromMuseum of the City of New York logoMuseum of the City of New York

Mount Olivet Baptist Church (Temple Israel) 201–203 Lenox Avenue Designed by Arnold W. Brunner, 1906–07

This Neo-Classical limestone building looks like a Roman temple, yet it was originally constructed as a synagogue. Arnold W. Brunner designed many synagogues, including Shearith Israel located on Central Park West, 10 years before this building, in 1897. If one looks closely, Stars of David can be found adorning the building. Mount Olivet, the first African-American congregation on Lenox Avenue, has occupied this building since 1924. The congregation was organized in 1878 and continues to worship at this site today. This building is an example of religious structures in Harlem serving different religions and cultures over time as residents change.

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