South Manchester synagogue, Wilbraham Road, M14.

The reinforced concrete construction in the design of the new South Manchester New Synagogue is the salient feature and admirably adapted for this form of eastern design. Four square concrete piers, carried up from the foundation are arranged or hidden in the angles at the junction of the cross walls. These piers at a certain height, and in an unbroken line, form semi-circular arches on the outside face of the vaulted ceilings of the galleries; on the square formed by these four arches a circular concrete beam is formed, and from this beam rises the shallow dome, unbroken by any kinds of turrets, giving a very satisfactory effect of an eastern place of worship. [British Architect 20 February 1914 p157-158]

The foundation‑stone of this building was laid by Mr. E. De Rothschild last spring, and consecrated by the Rev. Chief Rabbi in the autumn. It has cost £6,500, and provides seating for 280 men on the ground floor and for 180 women in the three galleries, and seats for officers and distinguished visitors on the east platform. The front entrance porch leads to a spacious crush‑hall, elaborately treated, with the committee‑room on the right and men's classrooms and offices at the end; these arc also for the use of the two boys' classes. The ladies enter either by the main entrance or from the west side, where two entrances are provided, flanked by two large stone staircases leading to two crush-halls, dressing‑rooms, and three galleries.The essential feature of the design is the reinforced‑concrete construction, consisting of an unbroken shallow dome spanning a square of 35ft., carried on four semicircular concrete arches, on the face edge of the barrel‑vault ceilings of the galleries and over the platform. These arches spring from four square concrete piers, hidden in the angles at the junction of the cross‑walls. The galleries are spanned by lattice girders, thus dispensing with any columns below. The east platform is spacious, and an imposing Ark. constructed of statuary vein marble slabs with Pavonazza pilasters and bronze caps and gold-domed top, forms the consecrating feature of the interior. The woodwork and pews throughout are of oak. fumed a dark shade, and the walls are painted cream for the present, giving a feeling of simplicity. Ultimately, as funds permit, some elaborate scheme of mosaic decoration is contemplated being carried out for the whole of the interior shell. The exterior is built of grey terra-cotta and grey bricks; metal casements and leaded lights have been used throughout. The heating is by radiators and pipes on a low‑pressure hot‑water system. An electric fan is placed in the tower, which extracts any cold air circulating in the dome. The architect is Mr. Joseph Sunlight, of St. Ann's Square, Manchester. His design was chosen from a limited competition, in which six architects took part. [Building News 3 April 1914 page 466]

Reference    British Architect 20 February 1914 p157-158 with photograph
Reference    Building News 3 April 1914 page 466 with plans and perspective

In 2004 the synagogue faced redundancy on the removal of its congregation to Bowden in Cheshire, but has been purchased by a consortium, with the intention of turning it into a residential Jewish student centre, feasible due to its proximity to the University of Manchester campus.