Religious Faith in Wolverhampton

Judaism

The first recorded instance of a Jewish person taking up residence in Wolverhampton is a Mr Levi Harris, a clothier who lived in Great Berry Street around 1830.

Extract from Bridgen's Directory of the Borough of Wolverhampton
1838, page 28 (L91)

Around 1848 the Duke of Cleveland presented the Jewish community with a piece of land in Green Lanes (Thompson Avenue) for use as a Jewish cemetery: Jewish faith demands that on death not only is a grave required but that it must be in a Jewish burial ground.

Ordnance Survey map 1919 showing location of burial ground

In 1851 a religious census was undertaken across the country. It records the first known synagogue as being in Wolverhampton at St James Square.

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Religious Census 1851 entry for Wolverhampton Synagogue (S2SOU)

The entry lists the following information:

The synagogue was erected in 1850;
It was not a separate building but formed part of another building;
It was a small synagogue seating 30 people;
On Saturday 29th March 1851, 15 people attended in the morning and 12 in the afternoon, the average size of the congregation being 20.

In 1851, Isaac Barratt, born in Poland, is listed as a Rabbi and residing at 89 St James Square with his wife and five daughters.

A further reference to a jewish community is from the 1891 census for Clifton Street, Wolverhampton, which shows David Wisberg of Russia working as a clothier. He is also listed in a trade directory of 1892:

In 1858 a new synagogue was built in Fryer Street. It was opened by the Chief Rabbi, Rev Dr Adler of London.

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Wolverhampton Chronicle 25th August 1858

In 1902, the synagogue was rebuilt in the Ashkenazian style. The plans submitted to the Council prior to the rebuilding reveal the layout of the building:

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Fryer Street Synagogue, Wolverhampton, 1903 (WTON/2979)

Fryer Street Synagogue No 5663, Wolverhampton
(from Judaism in Wolverhampton) (L296)

The 1930's saw an influx of Jews into Wolverhampton, mainly from central Europe, following the rise to power of the Nazi party in Germany.

During World War II there was a further increase in the size of the congregation. This time it was Jewish servicemen, many of whom were stationed at nearby RAF Cosford. The Wolverhampton congregation is said to have swollen to around 150. However this number fell rapidly following the end of the war.

By the late 20th century the congregation had fallen to the levels of the 1850's.

As the numbers dwindled, the Fryer Street Synagogue was abandoned and put up for sale. Today the Jewish congregation is very small; it does however meet regularly for worship but is led by a layman as the nearest Rabbi is at the Synagogue in Birmingham.

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© Copyright. Wolverhampton City Council, 2002