Liverpool's 'jewel in the crown' synagogue at risk

Nov 17 2006 By Kate Mansey Daily Post Staff

LIVERPOOL'S Jewish architectural heritage is more at risk now than ever, a book has revealed.

Toxteth's Grade II* listed Princes Road Synagogue features in Jewish Heritage In England, published yesterday.

The guide was based on a national survey by English Heritage to celebrate 350 years of Jewish architecture in England.

The book, published by EH, raises concerns over the future of buildings like the Princes Road synagogue, which it says are struggling to survive because of dwindling congregation numbers.

Built in 1874, the synagogue is generally considered to be one of the finest examples of Jewish architecture in Europe.

It has been heralded a "jewel in the crown" of Merseyside's architectural offerings, and drawn tourists from across the world.

The spectacular synagogue is renowned for its fine painted and gilded interior. The architects went down in history for creating a unusual new type of building, with an "eclectic mixture of the best of the eastern and western schools of art".

Scottish Presbyterian brothers William and George Audsley later went on to pioneer skyscraper construction in America.

Despite it's respected status, a dwindling congregation means the synagogue has struggled to raise funds to carry out basic maintenance work.

Charles Mozley became the first Jewish mayor for the city in 1863 and at the end of the 1950s there were around 7,000 Jewish people living in Liverpool.