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 Sixth & I Historic Synagogue was built by Adas Israel Congregation,
which occupied the building from 1908-1951. It was the second of Adas Israel's three sanctuaries. Designed by Baltimore architect Louis Levi and built by local builder Arthur Cowsill, it was one of the first buildings in the District of Columbia to substitute reinforced concrete columns and poured-in-place concrete floors for traditional iron columns and wood floors.
When Adas Israel moved to Connecticut Avenue and Quebec Street
in 1951, the building was sold to Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church,
whose members worshipped in it for half a century before moving to
a new sanctuary in Maryland. Three local Jewish developers purchased the building in late 2002 and undertook its restoration and
renovation in order to return it to use by the Washington community.
Although the building was in remarkably good condition, it showed some signs of age. Some roof
tiles required replacement and renovation was needed in the worship spaces and function rooms. Shalom Baranes Associates of Washington, DC generously drew up restoration plans at no charge. EHT Traceries, Inc. and the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington provided historical research assistance and valuable documentation. A hunt for artifacts formerly associated with the building yielded some notable results.
In 2004, the building was rededicated as a center for Jewish engagement and spiritual activity in the heart of the Nation's capital.
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Total hits since March 2009: 3,433,767
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Sixth & I Historic Synagogue • 600 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 • 202.408.3100 |
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