Marquette Synagogue

Temple Beth Sholom purchased “the Citadel”, located at 223 Blaker St. in Marquette, at the end of December to be its future home. Temple Beth Sholom is the areas only Jewish Congregation. The current temple building is located in Ishpeming. When the building housing Temple Beth Sholom was built in the 1950s, most of the Jewish community lived in the Western end of the county. Over the last 60 years most of the Jewish community moved towards Marquette, following the growth of the hospital and Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

Having long considered moving the home of the congregation to Marquette, as most of the Jews in Marquette County live in Marquette City, and hoping its presence near the University would encourage more Jews students to attend, the membership was finally able to make this move a reality through a generous donation and commitments from membership.

The Citadel fits the needs of the Jewish community perfectly. It was built as a Christian Science Church in the 1920s, and retains much of the openness of a house of worship. It’s location, near the Landmark Inn in downtown Marquette, makes it an easy place to get to for Northern Michigan University students. The previous owners used it as a private dwelling (upper level) with two apartments (lower level). Renovations to re-create a sanctuary and library on the upper level and a social hall on the lower level will start soon. The process is anticipated to take a year or so to complete. The famous stained glass windows in the sanctuary at the Ishpeming building will be relocated to the new building, as well as much of the original furniture and fixtures as possible.

Follow the renovations on this site. If you would like more history of the Citadel go to https://tylerrtichelaar.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/marquettes-citadel-history-of-the-church-of-christ-scientist/