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A Virtual Tour of Sixth & I |
 The Sixth
& I Historic Synagogue
was built by Adas Israel Congregation, which occupied it from
1908-1951. It was the second of Adas’ 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,
which worshipped in it for half a century before moving to a new
sanctuary in Maryland. Three local Jewish developers purchased it
in late 2002 and undertook its restoration and renovation in
order to return it for use by the Washington Jewish 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.
Restoration plans were drawn up gratis by
Shalom
Baranes Associates of Washington, DC. Historical research
and documentation was provided by
EHT Traceries, Inc. and the
Jewish
Historical Society of Greater Washington. And a hunt for
artifacts formerly associated with the building yielded some
notable results.
In 2004, the edifice was rededicated as a Jewish meeting place
and a center for Jewish learning and spiritual activity in the
heart of the Nation’s capital. |
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Click on the icon to begin the virtual tour
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