West London Synagogue

UPPER BERKELEY STREET TQ 2781 11 54/91 West London Synagogue II Gi Synagogue. 1869-70, by Davis and Emanuel. Brick with Portland stone facade; slate roof. Byzantine/Romanesque style. 3-storey facade dominated by pedimen- ted semi-circular arch supported on coupled columns with richly-carved capitals and set in front of recessed entrance bay with graduated semi-circular arched windows over 3 doorways framed by semi-circular arched arcade with similar columns; attic storey arcade of 8 round-arched windows with foliate capitals to square piers; similar one-light windows to projecting outer bays; continuous bracketed cornice to parapet surmounted by acroteriae. Interior: panelled entrance hall with beamed coffered ceiling and double-flight staircase with bronze candelabra to newels and rich Byzantine/Romanesque carving to balusters. Very fine synagogue interior: centralised plan with central dome carried on semi-circular arches and quatrefoil-section scagliola piers with foliate Byzantine/Romanesque capitals to decorative balcony fronts and to upper stage crowned by cluster of colonettes with similar capitals; similar grouped colonettes to corbels of barrel-vaulted aisles; apsidal 'sanctuary' separated from main body of synagogue by semi-circular arch over fine domed ark and flanking screens enriched by coloured marble and mosaic, 'Moorish' style screens set in semi-circular arched architraves and richly-carved Byzantine- Romanesque style capitals to arcade piers and colonettes supporting dome; balustraded enclosure and pulpit in similar style and materials. Fine stained glass to semi-circular arched windows and square-headed 3-light aisle windows with foliate piers. The most important Reform synagogue in Victorian London and, together with Davis and Emanuel's East London Synagogue, ranks as one of the finest Victorian synagogues in the country.

Listing NGR: TQ2762581228