Historic Sites of Manitoba: First Jewish Synagogue / Shaarey Zedek Synagogue (315 King Street, Winnipeg)

Link to:
Photos & Coordinates | Sources

At this site on the northeast corner of King Street and Common (now Henry) Street in Winnipeg, Manitoba’s first Jewish synagogue was designed by local architect Charles Henry Wheeler and constructed between 1889 and 1890 at a cost of approximately $10,000. The building was commissioned in summer of 1889 and constructed under the supervision of a building committee drawn from the congregation. It was erected for the Sons of Israel congregation, which had recently amalgamated with Congregation Bethel, marking a major milestone in the establishment of Jewish religious life in Manitoba.

The synagogue was designed as a long, rectangular brick building characterized by a steeply pitched gabled roof and two prominent, square corner towers that extended well above the roofline. The front facade was anchored by these towers and featured a large central arched window, while the sides were lined with a series of narrow arched windows and small triangular dormers.

The interior was finished with polished wood, neatly painted surfaces, and coloured glass windows. While the furnishings were described as tasteful rather than elaborate, a tabernacle designed by local architect Samuel Hooper was considered among the finest in Canada, being made of Italian and American marble. The cornerstone was laid with Masonic honours.

The synagogue’s opening on 20 March 1890 was marked by elaborate dedication ceremonies, including a procession of the Torah scrolls, a dedicatory sermon delivered by Rabbi Marks of Minneapolis and officiated by Rev. Canon James Dallas O’Meara. Civic participation in the ceremony, including the presentation of a symbolic key by Mayor Alfred Pearson, reflected the synagogue’s acceptance within Winnipeg’s broader community. Financial contributions toward the building came not only from Jewish residents but also from many Christian citizens of Winnipeg and beyond.

The original Shaarey Zedek synagogue at King and Henry served the congregation until they moved to a larger building on Dagmar Avenue in 1913. Later on, the building was significantly altered, most notably through the removal of the two tall corner pinnacles. The synagogue was demolished in 1959, and no physical trace of the original structure remains on the site today.

Photos & Coordinates

First Jewish Synagogue (1890) Source: Winnipeg Tribune, 19 December 1890, page 13. Tabernacle in the First Jewish Synagogue (1890) Source: Winnipeg Tribune, 20 March 1890, page 4. The former Shaarey Zedek Synagogue (December 1958) by John H. Warkentin Source: John Warkentin Fonds, 2009-029/003(04), ASC16587, York University Site Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90417, W97.13627 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Memorable Manitobans: Charles Henry Wheeler (1838-1917)

Memorable Manitobans: Samuel Hooper (1851-1911)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Shaarey Shomayim Synagogue / Shaarey Zedek Synagogue / Eagles Hall / Sudanese Canadian Community Centre (129 Dagmar Street, Winnipeg)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Shaarey Zedek Synagogue (561 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg)

Sources:

“Tenders,” Manitoba Free Press, 17 August 1889, page 4.

“The reportorial round,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 Febuary 1890, page 4.

“The Jewish Synagogue,” Winnipeg Tribune, 20 March 1890, page 4.

“Shaarey Zedek sisterhood to mark synagogue's founding,” Winnipeg Tribune, 23 February 1935, page 11.

“Shaarey Zedek synagoue will mark Golden Jubilee,” Winnipeg Tribune, 27 May 1939, page 17.

Winnipeg fire insurance map, #211 May 1956, City of Winnipeg Archives.

Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada, 1800-1950 by Robert G. Hill, Toronto.

This page was prepared by Kenneth Ingram and Jordan Makichuk.

Page revised: 27 December 2025

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