Construction Bevis Marks Synagogue

exterior of synagogue

services @ small synagogue in creechurch lane date @ least october 1663, when visited on festival of simchat torah, diarist samuel pepys, recorded impressions of service. in 1698 rabbi david nieto took spiritual charge of congregation of spanish , portuguese jews (also called sephardim)

a considerable influx of jews made necessary obtain more commodious quarters. accordingly, committee appointed, consisting of antónio gomes serra, menasseh mendes, alfonso rodrigues, manuel nunez miranda, andrea lopez, , pontaleão rodriguez. investigated matters year, , on 12 february 1699, signed contract joseph avis, quaker, construction of building cost £2,650. according legend, avis declined collect full fee, on ground wrong profit building house of god. unsubstantiated story timber donated princess anne roof of synagogue. on 24 june 1699, committee leased sir thomas , lady pointz (also known littleton) tract of land @ plough yard, in bevis marks, 61 years, option of renewal further 38 years, @ £120 year.

the structure completed , dedicated in september 1701. interior decor , furnishing , layout of synagogue reflect influence of great amsterdam synagogue of 1677. roof destroyed fire in 1738 , repaired in 1749. during london blitz synagogue s silver, records , fittings removed place of safety; synagogue suffered minor damage. synagogue suffered collateral damage ira in 1992 , 1993 bishopsgate bombing, restored. essential original structure of building remains today.

in 1747 benjamin mendes da costa bought lease of ground on building stood, , presented congregation, vesting deeds in names of committee consisting of gabriel lopez de britto, david aboab ozorio, moses gomes serra, david franco, joseph jessurun rodriguez, , moses mendes da costa.