Restoration of Merthyr Tydfil Synagogue Secured
Plans to convert Wales' oldest surviving synagogue into a Jewish Heritage Centre have advanced following the award of a £3.9 million grant. The Merthyr Tydfil Synagogue, located on Bryntirion Road, was acquired by the Foundation for Jewish Heritage in 2019.
Emergency stabilisation work on the building, partially funded by Cadw, the Welsh heritage body, was completed in 2021. Subsequently, the Foundation applied for additional support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The successful funding bid will enable the full restoration of the 150-year-old neo-gothic building, which will generate employment, volunteering opportunities, and community activities.
The project will include a community-created stained glass installation.
Architectural and Historical Significance
The synagogue's neo-gothic design is architecturally distinctive, drawing influence from contemporaneous structures such as Castell Coch at Tongwynlais, near Cardiff, and Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr.
Originally listed as a Grade II* building in 1978, the synagogue closed in 1983 due to a declining congregation and was subsequently downgraded to Grade II status.
Since its closure, the building has served as a Christian centre and a gymnasium before permanently closing in 2004.
Although planning permission had been granted previously to convert the synagogue into residential flats, the current plan is to establish it as Wales' national centre for Jewish history.
Community and Cultural Features
The surrounding grounds will be developed to include activity spaces and interpretative features, notably a tree propagated from the original Anne Frank tree in Amsterdam.
Planned programming will encompass talks, performances, tours, festivals, workshops, and celebrations of major Jewish festivals.
David Bearman of the Welsh Jewish Cultural Centre said he was "delighted" by the funding, which will support an exhibition on the contributions of Welsh Jewish communities to Wales' social and economic development.
Andrew White of The National Lottery Heritage Fund said the project will "bring to life the rich and often under-told stories of Jewish communities in Wales, celebrating over 250 years of history and culture".
The restoration will also feature a community-created stained glass, refurbishment of the prayer hall, and a permanent exhibition dedicated to Judaism, Welsh Jewish heritage, and the building's history.
