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Beth Hamidrash Hagadol, more commonly known as the McCaul Street Synagogue, was first established in 1887 and was originally located above a grocery store (owned by A. Broudy) at the corner of Richmond and York Streets. Due to financial instability, the location changed frequently during its early years, eventually to the top of a blacksmith shop. In 1899, a new home was purchased at the corner of Simcoe and Pearl Streets.
Beth Hamidrash Hagadol, 1905-1952
- Address
- 69 McCaul Street
- Source
- Landmarks
Beth Hamidrash Hagadol, more commonly known as the McCaul Street Synagogue, was first established in 1887 and was originally located above a grocery store (owned by A. Broudy) at the corner of Richmond and York Streets. Due to financial instability, the location changed frequently during its early years, eventually to the top of a blacksmith shop. In 1899, a new home was purchased at the corner of Simcoe and Pearl Streets.
- Address
- 69 McCaul Street
- Time Period
- 1905-1952
- Scope Note
- Beth Hamidrash Hagadol, more commonly known as the McCaul Street Synagogue, was first established in 1887 and was originally located above a grocery store (owned by A. Broudy) at the corner of Richmond and York Streets. Due to financial instability, the location changed frequently during its early years, eventually to the top of a blacksmith shop. In 1899, a new home was purchased at the corner of Simcoe and Pearl Streets.
- Jews from Russia, Galicia, Bucovina, Poland, Roumania, Latvia, Lithuania, White Russia and other countries, particpated in the establishment of the synagogue. The intenion with this synagogue was for it to be inclusive, regardless of country of origin.
- History
- In 1905, the enlarged congregation moved into a larger home, the former McCaul Street Methodist Church, which it quickly renovated and remodeled into a synagogue. The synagogue was renamed Beth Hamidrash Hagadol Chevra T'hilim. The shul thrived for the next 50 years on McCaul Street. In September of 1952, the synagogue and its sister synagogue Goel Tzedec amalgamated to form Beth Tzedec.
- The first cantor was Yudel Breslin and in 1904, Mr. M. Shulman became the cantor. Rabbi Jacob Gordon was appointed in 1905.
- Category
- Architecture
- Religious
- Source
- Landmarks
![McCaul St. Synagogue, exterior, Toronto, [ca. 1955]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, item 1771.|This building was originally a Methodist church which was renovated and remodeled into a synagogue in 1904.](/media/Digital Assets/1771.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![McCaul St. Synagogue, interior (view of the ark), Toronto, [ca. 1955]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, item 3183.|](/media/Digital Assets/3183.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
![McCaul St. Synagogue, interior (view of the ark), Toronto, [ca. 1955]. Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre, item 1772.|](/media/Digital Assets/1772.jpg?maxheight=1000&maxwidth=1000&watermark=wmk)
