From Synagogue to Church: A Shared North Side Story

What: From Synagogue to Church: A Shared North Side Story

When: Sunday, May 31st | 3-5 p.m.

Where: First Church of God in Christ – Graham Temple | 810 Elwood Ave N, Minneapolis

This year marks the one hundredth anniversary of a storied North Minneapolis building with a unique and intersecting history: now the religious home of First Church of God in Christ, the building was first built as a synagogue for an Orthodox Jewish congregation who named it Tifereth B’nai Jacob, “Splendors of the Sons of Jacob.” The transition from shul to church reflects the shared history of the near Northside as a place where Jewish and Black families lived side by side since the early twentieth century.

Recently, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the second synagogue and only the third African American church in the state of Minnesota to hold such an honor.

Come learn more about this sacred ground and  its shared stories while also exploring the beauty of this historic building and learning why it was selected to be on the National Register. There will be programming to celebrate these interwoven experiences as well as an opportunity to make connections and conversation with others.

Event program

• 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.: Presentations and speakers in the sanctuary
• 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.: View exhibits and explore the history of the building, socialize with light food and refreshments
• 4:30 – 4:50 p.m.: Shared conversations in the fellowship hall with welcome from Robin Doroshow, Executive Director of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest
• 4:50 – 5:00 p.m.: Wrap up and thank yous led by Kate Dietrick, Archivist for the Upper Midwest Jewish Archives

Speakers

Speakers will include: Tierre Webster, Pastor of the First Church of God in Christ/Graham Temple; Rabbi Alexander Davis, Senior Rabbi at Beth El Synagogue; Dr. Marilyn Chiat, co-author of the National Register of Historic Places nomination.

Performances by the choirs of both First Church of God in Christ and Beth El Synagogue

Thank you to our co-sponsors

This event is brought to you by the First Church of God in Christ, Beth El Synagogue, Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest, Adath Jeshurun Congregation, and Upper Midwest Jewish Archives University of Minnesota Libraries.