| Temple of Israel | |
|---|---|
 Temple of Israelfaçade | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Reform Judaism |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Synagogue |
| Year consecrated | May 12, 1876 |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | 1 South Fourth Street,Wilmington,North Carolina 28401 |
| Country | United States |
  Location inNorth Carolina | |
| Coordinates | 34°14′08″N77°56′40″W / 34.23546°N 77.9444°W /34.23546; -77.9444 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Samuel Sloan |
| Type | Synagogue |
| Style | |
| Established | 1872(as a congregation) |
| Completed | 1876 |
| Specifications | |
| Dome | Two |
| Materials | Masonry; stucco |
| Website | |
| temple-of-israel | |
TheTemple of Israel is aReformJewishsynagogue located on the corner of Fourth and Market Streets inWilmington,North Carolina, in the United States.[1] Built in 1876, the Temple of Israel is theoldest synagogue in North Carolina and one of the earliest Reform synagogues in theAmerican South.[2][3][4]
Sephardic Jews first arrived in North Carolina during the early 18th century.[3] By 1852, a Jewish Burial Society was formed in Wilmington with aHebrew cemetery opening in 1855.[5] AnOrthodox Jewish congregation was formed in 1867, but did not succeed. In 1872, a Reform congregation was started byGerman Jews and their synagogue, the Temple of Israel, was dedicated on May 12, 1876.[3][6]
Designed bySamuel Sloan,[7] the synagogue is a combination ofGreek Revival andMoorish Revival styles. The Moorish architecture is unique in the city of Wilmington, but was common during late 19th century for many American synagogues. The synagogue featureshorseshoe arches and twin towers topped with goldenonion domes.[3][8] The building's exterior was restored in 1982, 2000 and 2013.[6] It is a contributing building in theWilmington Historic District.
