History and architecture
The synagogue of the Congregation Shearith Israel was built in 1896-97 from plans by the architectural firm of Brunner & Tryon. This masonry building, referred to as the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, is the fourth synagogue erected by the Congregation since 1729. The first building, located on what is today South William Street, provided a permanent house of worship for the Jewish settlers who had been meeting together for nearly a hundred years. Prior to the erection of the present building, the Congregation had built two other synagogues; one at 56 Crosby Street in 1833-34 and another at 5 West 19th Street in 1859-60.
Sources and further reading
This history comes from the Landmarks app’s historical catalog. Names and building uses may reflect the period described.