South Manchester Synagogue, 41, Sidney Street, All Saints, Manchester

A new synagogue for the use of the Jews residing at the south side of Manchester, was consecrated yesterday by the Rev Dr Adler, Chief Rabbi of England. It is situated in Sidney Street, Oxford Road, on the site of the old Roman Catholic Industrial School and is the first synagogue created in that quarter of the city. The increasing number of Jewish families taking up residences in the neighbourhood has rendered this want of a suitable place of worship long felt, and, about fifteen months ago, the movement which resulted in the erection of the building consecrated yesterday was started, premises in Brook Street having been temporarily used for the purpose for some time previously. The new building, which is simple in style of architecture, is 37 feet long by30 feet wide and 33 feet high. The body will accommodate a congregation of about 100 persons and the gallery for ladies, which runs round three sides, affords accommodation for about 60. The fourth side, or eastern end of the building is occupied by the ark recess. The principal entrance is from Sidney Street, but there is also an entrance from York Street to the ladies’ gallery and the vestry. The interior is fitted up in the usual style suitable for Jewish worship. The fittings are framed in pitch pine. The roof above the ark is formed of coloured glass of floriated design, in which are introduced the tables of the law and other devices, the colouring being of a rich and warm description. The building generally is well lit by large windows looking out upon Sidney Street and York Street, and the walls internally are coloured in distemper and oil. The cost of the building is about £3,000, of which about £900 has already been subscribed. The architects are Messrs J Holden and Son, Manchester. [Manchester Guardian 18 September 1873 page 6]

CONSECRATION OF A NEW SYNAGOGUE AT MANCHESTER - The new synagogue in South Manchester has been consecrated by the Chief Rabbi, and the Jewish Chronicle reports the proceedings. The building is situated in Sidney, street, Oxford-road. In six weeks, a building there was adapted to the purposes of a synagogue. Messrs. I. Holden & Sons, of Manchester, were the architects, under whose superintendence and from whose plans the conversion of the old buildings (together with new erections) has been carried out. It is not large, yet, owing to the manner in which the space at disposal has been economised, the synagogue will accommodate about 200 persons. The ladies' gallery extends round three Bides of the building. The reading-desk is surmounted by ornamented lamps. In front of the steps leading to the ark is a pair of three-light candelabra of bronze. The roof above the ark is formed of coloured glass of ornated design. As light could be obtained only on two sides of the main building (excepting above the ark), the windows have been made of such dimensions as to give light sufficient for the whole interior. The building is illuminated by a sunlight in the centre panel of the ceiling. The cost will amount to about £3,000; towards this sum £800 have been subscribed. The contractors are Messrs Clay & Son, and Mr Mark Froggart, of Manchester. [Builder 27 September 1873 page 772]

The synagogue closed in 1913 when the congregation moved to a new building in Wilbraham Road. The building survived until 1990s but has since been demolished.

Reference    Manchester Guardian 18 September 1873 page 6
Reference    Builder 27 September 1873 page 772