The National Lottery Heritage Fund has announced a £3.9 million grant to save the historic Synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil, enabling its transformation into the Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre. This funding will restore the oldest surviving synagogue in Wales, which is also the only one in the UK built in heavy Northern Gothic style, making it architecturally significant.
Historic Significance
The cornerstone of the synagogue was laid on March 15, 1876, exactly 150 years ago. It served as a synagogue until 1983, then briefly as a Christian centre, and for 20 years as a fitness centre. Unfortunately, the historic interior, including the prayer hall, was lost; the ark was removed, and a new floor replaced the balcony to accommodate gym equipment. The restoration will fully restore the building.
Community Benefits
The project will provide new opportunities for local people through jobs, volunteering, activities, school engagement, and valuing local stories and experiences. New community facilities will also be created.
David Bearman, Chair of Trustees of the Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre, said: "We are delighted to have received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save the historic Synagogue in Merthyr Tydfil, the most important Jewish heritage site in Wales. Lottery support will allow us to reopen the building to the public and establish a new Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre with an exhibition that tells the stories of the contribution of Welsh Jewish communities to social and economic development in Wales, and with a diverse programme for learning, events and activities. We thank all Lottery players who have made this possible."
Andrew White, Director for Wales of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: "The Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre project will bring to life the rich and often under-told stories of Jewish communities in Wales, celebrating over 250 years of history and culture. Thanks to National Lottery players, this support will help restore and safeguard a historic Welsh synagogue and create a vibrant space where these stories can be shared, explored and enjoyed by future generations."
Restoration and Exhibitions
An artist will work with the local community to create new stained glass that reflects contemporary themes and links the past to the present. The prayer hall will be recreated by restoring the Ark and balcony, and there will be a permanent exhibition exploring key themes including Judaism, Welsh Jewish history, and the story of the building.
The surrounding landscape will provide further activity space and feature interpretation with a tree propagated from the original Anne Frank tree in Amsterdam.
Events and Programmes
- Talks, performances, tours, festivals and workshops on Jewish and local themes.
- Celebratory events centred on major Jewish festivals supporting inter-cultural and inter-faith activity.
- Young Curator programme, with younger people working on displays and activities.
- Development of archive and digital resources.
- Jewish Heritage Trails. A project with primary schools to research Jewish families who lived in Merthyr, with research used to inspire artworks.
- Art projects with local youth groups and Merthyr College.
