Design for the Jewish Synagogue, Albert-Street, East Melbourne.

Rare c.19th engraving of the Albert-Street, East Melbourne synagogue made in 1877.

The congregation was formed in 1857 under the leadership of Reverend Moses Rintel following his leave from the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. Initially named Mikveh Israel Melbourne Synagogue, it was provided with a government land grant in 1859 on the corner of Little Lonsdale Street and Stephen Street (today Exhibition Street) in Melbourne’s City Centre. A small synagogue was erected on the site in 1860. Seeking larger premises, the congregation received government permission to sell its property in 1870 it then moved to Albert Street where a new synagogue building was consecrated in 1877. Rintel served the congregation until his death in 1880.

From the original edition of the Australasian Sketcher.