Akron Jewish Center
About this property
The Akron Jewish Center is a historic building in Akron, Ohio, in the United States. It was built in 1929 and expanded in 1951 as a synagogue, Jewish community center, and headquarters for the organization with the same name for over 45 years. The building was subsequently used as a church and, since 1985, as a community center operated by the local city authorities. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The address of the center is 220 S. Balch Street. Designed by architectural firm Fichter & Brooker in a free Romanesque Revival style the details display Byzantine Revival influences. Built in 1929 the two and a half story masonry building is constructed of red brick in American bond pattern. Exterior trim is faux granite terra-cotta, with the raised basement demarcated by a prominent terra-cotta water table. The main entrance is raised six steps above ground level. Exterior walls rise to a parapet with a frieze that creates the effect of corbelling and a low profile ornamented cornice. The parapet conceals a flat roof. On the long side of this basically rectangular structure the grandly ornamented main entrance is set off center. An archway featuring multiple archivolts resting on a boss that is a stylized old testament [sic] (see Torah) figure in turn resting on biblical [sic] lions (see Lion of Judah). The entire arch is supported by multiple engaged columns in groups set at 90 degrees from each other. Four multiple light doors with the center two paired are topped by wide cross beam bearing the words, "Akron Jewish Center" supporting a fully glazed tympanum. A smaller doorway on the left leading directly to the athletic facilities has a deep transom and ornamented lintel. Further to the left is a large addition constructed in 1951. This addition was designed by Michael M. Konarski in a congruent Art Deco style with interpretations of Byzantine influences evident in the terra-cotta detailing. Matching brick was used for this addition. A notable feature of the interior is a multipurpose auditorium with balconies and a full proscenium stage. The seating capacity in stage configuration is 1,000. Extensive athletic facilities with equipment and a wide variety of recreational and social purposed rooms are complemented by office and civic spaces. The low profile building fits quietly in a neighborhood that remains residential. The Akron Jewish Center is also the name of the organization for whom this building was headquarters for over forty-five years. The charter to establish the Akron Jewish Center was secured by a group of prominent local Jewish men who organized for that purpose in 1924. As a Jewish community center the organization and the facility served a deep variety of religious and secular purposes.
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Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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Questions about this property
When was Akron Jewish Center listed on the National Register?
Akron Jewish Center was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 23, 1986.
What type of historic resource is Akron Jewish Center?
Akron Jewish Center is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Akron Jewish Center?
The period of significance for Akron Jewish Center is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Akron Jewish Center?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Akron Jewish Center will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
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