Where is Birmingham Central United Synagogue?
Birmingham Central United Synagogue is now at 4 Speedwell Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B5 7PR. Now members of the United Synagogue since January 2017.
In brief
An Orthodox Jewish community based in Edgbaston, downsized from there previous synagogue at almost the same site from the 1960s until the 2010s. Now also a community centre and deli.
Birmingham Central United Synagogue on Speedwell Road, Edgbaston (December 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown
Birmingham Central United Synagogue - history
The community was originally founded at a private house on Belgrave Road in 1883. They moved to Wrottesley Street in 1900 and then to Bristol Street in 1928.
In the late 1950s, a small plot of land at 133 Pershore Road was purchased from Calthorpe Estates. This was built from 1958 until 1961. This was the main Birmingham Central Synagogue for the rest of the 20th Century. The site also included the Malcolm Locker Hall, and a small house for visitors to stay in (plus a car park).
Birmingham Central Synagogue from Speedwell Road, Edgbaston (November 2008). Photography by Elliott Brown
Birmingham Central Synagogue from the Pershore Road, Edgbaston (June 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown
But over the years, as members of the community moved to London, Manchester, Israel (or elsewhere), the community got smaller. Maintenance of such a large building was costly, and plans to merge with Singers Hill Synagogue fell through. The community voted to sell the Pershore Road site in 2010, but had to wait a few years for permission from Birmingham City Council and the Calthorpe Estates. Redevelopment of the Malcolm Locker Hall into the new shul began in January 2013 and was opened by August 2013. Demolition of the old building started shortly after that. It would be replaced by Gracewell of Edgbaston (a care home).
Last service at the old Birmingham Central Synagogue before moving to the new building (August 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown
The new building is at 4 Speedwell Road. The new Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis consecrated the new building during October 2013. It is more than just a shul, it is also a community centre, and there is a deli. There is a large room for functions (about half the size of the old one the Malcolm Locker Hall had on the same site). Some take place in the foyer. Upstairs is the smaller shul for the minians (morning, afternoon and evening weekday services), as well as the Rabbi's office and the deli. During the pandemic, community events went onto Zoom. Although services have returned, when restrictions were eased (but less congregants in masks).
Birmingham Central Synagogue on Speedwell Road, Edgbaston (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown
Contact details
Birmingham Central Synagogue
4 Speedwell Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B5 7PR
0121 440 4044
info@centralshul.com
office@centralshul.com