Chatham Memorial Synagogue
CHATHAM MEMORIAL SYNAGOGUE, HIGH STREET
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1086467
- Date first listed:
- 02-Dec-1985
- List Entry Name:
- Chatham Memorial Synagogue
- Statutory Address:
- CHATHAM MEMORIAL SYNAGOGUE, HIGH STREET
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2001-09-17
- Reference:
- IOE01/05073/36
- Rights:
- © Mr David G. Smith. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1086467
- Date first listed:
- 02-Dec-1985
- List Entry Name:
- Chatham Memorial Synagogue
- Statutory Address 1:
- CHATHAM MEMORIAL SYNAGOGUE, HIGH STREET
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- CHATHAM MEMORIAL SYNAGOGUE, HIGH STREET
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Medway (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- TQ 75113 67905
Details
ROCHESTER
1357/13/101 HIGH STREET 02-DEC-85 (South side) Chatham Memorial Synagogue
II*
Synagogue. Foundation stone of 1865; opened 1870. Designed by Hyman Henry Collins (1832-1905), architect after the Byzantine manner. Patron was Simon Magnus who rebuilt the synagogue as a memorial for his only son Captain Lazarus Simon Magnus who died in 1865 at the age of 39 and is buried in the adjoining graveyard. EXTERIOR: Kentish rag-stone with Bath stone dressings; columns and enrichments of red Mansfield stone with floriated capitals; inscribed marble tablet in tympanum. North gable of synagogue with large wheel window. Tower to NW with tall two-light round-arched windows with circular foils, below overhanging cornice with corbel table and gablets, and with spire over. Committee room to left hand, the north gable with windows in round-arched and columned arcading. Side elevations of synagogue have three two-light round-arched windows with small circular foils, corbels and buttresses between. Gabled polygonal south end. INTERIOR: Entrance vestibule has dedication tablet under enriched cornice with elaborate brackets, doors with engraved glass and multi-coloured Minton tiled floor. Synagogue is of three bays, with arches of serrated ornamental white and red bricks, with carved stone incised enrichments, supported by clustered and coupled columns of red Mansfield stone with floriated capitals and base. Boarded barrel-vaulted roof of deal with quatrefoil band to the base. An enriched semi-circular arch to the south supported on polished red Mansfield stone columns; below, and to each side, a broad flight of steps leads to south end containing the Ark with balustrade connected to carved stone screen with convex recess. Clustered pillars of variegated coloured marbles at each angle of polygonal south end supporting domical ceiling. Enriched doors to the Ark. Minton tile floor. Original wooden pew seating both downstairs and to women's gallery and elaborate ironwork around reading desk and gallery. Stained glass representation of the Ten Commandments over the Ark and stained glass elsewhere by Messrs Smith and Miers, London. HISTORY: This synagogue replaced an earlier building with an attached graveyard. Original plans of 1865 included a minister's house to the left which has since been demolished. The design left the monument to Captain Lazarus Simon Magnus visible between the two buildings. Copy of architect's drawings displayed in entrance vestibule. This is the only synagogue in the country with an attached graveyard.
[See The Builder, 10 September 1870, P725.]
Listing NGR: TQ7511367905
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 173031
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Sources
Books and journals
The Builder in 10 September, (1870), 725
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 20-Jun-2026 at 04:43:08.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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