Temple Mishkan Israel
A look at the congregation’s history, and the landmark building that served as its house of worship since its early days.
1830-1840’s
Jews First Migrate to Selma
Jews immigrated to central Alabama in the mid-19th century. First in the 1830s through the port city of Mobile to the south. In the 1840s, Ashkenazi Jews from Germany settled in Selma, and then in the 1880s, a third wave of Jewish immigrants arrived in Selma from Eastern Europe, entering the United States in the Northeast and migrating south. Many of these early Jewish immigrants worked as traveling merchants, who over generations worked to build their own brick and mortar commercial businesses in downtown Selma.
1870
Congregation Mishkan Israel is Founded
In 1870, the growing community established Congregation Mishkan Israel. Worship and other gatherings were held in various temporary locations for almost 30 years – including in members’ private homes, and for a time a rented Episcopal Church building in Selma.
February 1900
Temple Mishkan Israel is Dedicated
In 1899, construction began on a Romanesque Revival Temple building on Broad Street near the heart of downtown Selma, and in February of 1900 synagogue was consecrated. The building has served as the permanent home of Congregation Mishkan Israel ever since.
1940
Congregation Reaches Peak Membership
Over the decades, Selma’s small congregation continued to grow until it reached its membership peak of 104 families in 1940. Since then, membership has gradually declined – and now only three Jews remain in Selma.
2018
Selma Temple is Founded
In 2018 The Selma Temple was founded with the goal of restoring the building, preserving its Jewish history, and re-opening its doors to a broader audience and wider uses.