Beth-El Zedeck Temple
United States historic place
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beth-El Zedeck Temple, originally known as Beth-El Temple, is a historic synagogue located in the Mapleton-Fall Creek neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The building was completed in 1924, and was originally home to Congregation Beth-El before merging with the Ohev Zedeck congregation in 1928.[2] It is the oldest remaining synagogue structure in Indianapolis.[3][4]
Beth-El Zedeck Temple | |
Beth-El Zedeck Temple | |
  Location within Indianapolis  Location within Indiana  Location within the United States | |
| Location | 3359 Ruckle St., Indianapolis, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 39°49′3″N 86°8′55″W |
| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1924 |
| Architect | Vonnegut, Bohn & Mueller |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 100004362[1] |
| Added to NRHP | August 28, 2019 |
The building is a two-story, neoclassical structure with a brick exterior and flat roof. It has a terra cotta cornice and ornamental pedestals throughout the roof line. Its entrance features a decorative canopy over the front doors, which is suspended to the building by two steel tension cables. The interior features a large sanctuary space on the second floor and classrooms on the first floor.[4]
The temple was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.
History
Congregation Beth-El was formed in 1915 when a small group of Jewish congregants began meeting in a rented house at 16th and Illinois Streets in Indianapolis. The following year, attendance had grown and the group rented a larger home at 21st and Talbott Streets. The congregation incorporated in 1921.
The congregation chose a property at the southeast corner of 34th and Ruckle Streets for its new synagogue, as the area had a growing Jewish population. The building was dedicated on December 12, 1925, the first night of Hanukah. Governor Edward L. Jackson attended the dedication ceremony.[4]
Congregation Beth-El Zedeck occupied the building until 1958 when it moved north to a new location in the Indianapolis enclave suburb of Meridian Hills, Indiana. Congregation B'nai Torah then occupied the building until 1967.[2] More recently, the building housed various Christian churches,[5] but as of March 2025[update], it has been vacant for about 20 years.[5] Indiana Landmarks purchased the building in 2014.[5]
Police arrested trespassers who were shooting a rap video in the building in March 2025.[5]
Restoration
Indiana Landmarks, a private historic preservation organization, purchased the building in 2014. Indiana Landmarks raised funds to replace the structure's roof, which had a large hole exposing the interior to water damage. In 2016, a brick addition to the north side of the building was removed to assist with redevelopment.[6]