Agudas Achim
Ahavas Achim
Anshe Antipole
Anshe Emeth Nusach Sfard
Anshe Galitzia
Anshe Kalvaria
Anshe Knesses Israel
Anshe Lebowitz
Anshe Lubavitch
Anshe Luknik
Anshe Motele
Anshe Odessa
Anshe Pavolitz
Anshe Pinsk
Anshe Shavel and Yanova
Anshe Ticktin
Anshe Vilno
Anshe Zitomer
Austro-Galician
Beth Hamedrosh Hagodol Kehilath Hasfardim
Beth Hamedrosh U’Bnai Jacob
Beth Jacob Anshe Kroz
Bikur Cholim
B’nai Abraham
B’nai Itzchok
B’nai Reuven
Mishna U’Gemora
Mikro Kodosh
Ohel Jacob Anshe Kovno
Poali Zedeck
Shaarei Shomaim
Shomrei Hadas
There is one name missing from this list: First Roumanian
Congregation. It’s missing because of all the above, it is the last surviving
synagogue building in the Maxwell Street area. The pre-fire building (1 of only
112 remaining) is facing demolition, and Preservation Chicago put it on “The
Chicago Seven,” its list of the most endangered structures in the city.
Constructed at 497 (now 1352 S.) Union Street in 1869, the
building’s various ownerships reflect the changing demographics of the city.
Its architect was Augustus Bauer, whose firm also designed St. Patrick’s Church
and the Tree Studios. A German-speaking high school, part of the neighboring
German United Evangelical Zion church, was the first tenant. Beginning in 1875,
a branch of the Foster School, a public school, leased the building.
Former First Roumanian Congregation/Gethsamane Missionary Baptist Church
Former First Roumanian Congregation, 3622 W. Douglas Blvd.
The Gethsamane Church has sported a large “For Sale” sign
for at least three years. The broker describes it as land for sale, 26,000
square feet that can be divided into 11,000 square feet. The listing price is
$3.5 million. This has not stopped plans by UIC to construct the John Paul II
Newman Center Student Residence, at first a 17-story, 500-bed dormitory since
scaled down to 5½-floor (what’s half a floor?), 250-bed facility.
Given the
poor job done in preserving any semblance of character in the old Maxwell
Street area, one would think the powers that be would want to save the
Gethsamane. I find the arguments against preservation rather lame – merchants
will benefit from additional money spent by the students, it’s not
architecturally significant or financially viable, its vacancy is dangerous,
etc. – when compared to the loss of the last vestige for which Maxwell Street is
best known. Like it or not, this was (and for some still is) “Jewtown.” There were more than 30 Jewish congregations
and only one is left. And my great-grandparents worshipped there after arriving
in Chicago at the turn of the century, and my family is buried in the First
Roumanian Congregation Cemetery in Waldheim. I know it’s personal, but I think
preservation is more important than how many bags of Skittles the students
will buy or how many pizzas they’ll order.
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