Temple Freda (Bryan, Texas)
Coordinates: 30°40′21″N 96°22′30″W / 30.6725°N 96.3751°W
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Temple Freda | |
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Temple Freda in 2012 | |
| Location | Bryan, Texas |
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| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Green & Finger Company |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Classical Revival |
| NRHP Reference # | 83003128 |
| Added to NRHP | September 22, 1983 |
Temple Freda, built in 1912, is a synagogue in Bryan, Texas.[1] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 22, 1983.
History
Temple Freda, a part of Brazos County, Texas history, is one of the three oldest religious buildings still in use in Bryan, along with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.[2] Temple Freda is named for Ethel Freda Kaczer (1860–1912). Her husband, Benjamin Kaczer (1850–1938), was president of the community when the synagogue was built.[2] The temple is unique for a Jewish place of worship in that it is named after a woman.[1][3]
Relationship with Texas A&M Hillel
In 1958, Texas A&M Hillel opened up a building in College Station, Texas. During this period, some members of Temple Freda in Bryan, Texas left to attend services at the Hillel Foundation building in College Station. Presently, Temple Freda's Torah is under the care of Texas A&M Hillel.[4]
Relationship with Congregation Beth Shalom (Jewish Congregation of Bryan-College Station)
In 1968 Congregation Beth Shalom, Bryan TX was formed to serve the Jewish community of the Brazos Valley. It included many former members of Temple Freda. Presently Temple Freda's Cemetery is under the care of Congregation Beth Shalom. See History of the Jews in Brazos County, Texas (below).
Texas A&M University College of Architecture project
Since 1982, Texas A&M University's "Center of Heritage Conservation" has focused on the history of Temple Freda as one of its historical projects. The temple structure is built in Greek Revival style[5] and also exhibits Classical Revival style with Beaux-Arts architecture elements.[1] Temple Freda is associated with the Jewish cemetery "Temple Freda Cemetery"[6] and is also a part of the National Register of Historic Places of Texas.[7]
Further reading
- Toubin, Rosa Levin, Bryan-College Station: Temple Freda. Texas Jewish Historical Society.
- Page, Bill. Before Temple Freda: Jewish residents of Brazos County, Texas, 1865-1913. 1998.
See also
References
- 1 2 3 International Survey of Jewish Monuments record for Freda Temple
- 1 2 "A Guide to Historic Brazos Valley" (PDF). Brazos Heritage Society. 2003. Retrieved 2007-10-22.
- ↑ Temple Freda, Bryan, Texas
- ↑ Lone Stars of David: The Jews of Texas Brandeis University Press page 191
- ↑ Texas A&M University College of Architecture Projects
- ↑ Temple Freda Burials, Bryan, TX
- ↑ National Register of Historic Places of Texas