A new space hopes to inspire future generations about the history of Bevis Marks synagogue, But plans for a nearby tower block could blight the project and the building’s future

The historic Bevis Marks synagogue at Aldgate in the City of London has unveiled plans for a new culture centre, which it hopes will give the site a new lease of life when it opens in 2022.

At an online presentation on 18 March, Howard Martin, chair of Bevis Marks Heritage Foundation, outlined the new proposals, which will include a refurbished annexe with space for displays, celebrations, workshops and performance activities, as well as a new café and shop.

A permanent exhibition will tell the history of Britain’s oldest synagogue in continuous use, touching on its design, the Spanish and Portuguese community that founded it and its unique traditions, such as religious melodies unique to Bevis Marks. A basement vault will also be transformed into a display space to showcase the community’s ritual silver, textiles, documents and other artefacts. The online presentation highlighted some of the silverware that will be on display, including a Lord Mayor’s dish, a highly decorated plate dating from 1728. The dish is one in a series of plates that were presented annually to the Lord Mayor of London in a tradition dating from 1697, when a silver salver piled with sweetmeats was given to the then Lord Mayor, Sir Humphrey Edwin.

The new space, which will include a courtyard area refurbished for outdoor events, hopes to welcome 40,000 visitors a year, including up to four school parties a week. The synagogue has also created a new school programme. “We want to play our part in [encouraging] diversity and creating an understanding of the part our community plays in the city and wider country,” said Martin.

The synagogue was awarded a £2.7 million National Lottery windfall in 2018 as part of the funding of the scheme. But the announcement of the new plans comes at a time when the synagogue is fighting for its future as it waits to hear the outcome of a planning application submitted to the Corporation of London’s planning committee for a 21-storey tower at 31 Bury Street, just four metres from the site.

Synagogue and heritage campaigners, including Historic England, say the tower will loom over the synagogue, cutting off light, and its construction risks damaging the synagogue’s structure. They have lodged their “strong objection” to the plans.

The Foundation for Jewish Heritage said the assessment of the plans being put before City planners “does not evaluate the communal or evidential values of the synagogue when these are to be expected, especially the former, given that the synagogue has been a focus for community activity from the date of its construction to date.” It said it had “marked and concerning omissions” about the assessment.

“Light is very important to the synagogue,” said Bevis Marks’ rabbi, Shalom Morris. “The building is Grade I listed, so we are limited in any electrical alterations we can make. Hundreds of pages of prayers are read every year and good light is essential for our ability to function. If daylight were diminished it would be devastating.”

Construction on the synagogue began in 1699 to the designs of Joseph Avis, a student of Sir Christopher Wren. In its listing of significant buildings, Historic England states: “in its little altered state [Bevis Marks] is of exceptional historic interest”. A planning decision is expected later in the spring.

By Rebecca Taylor

To find out more about Bevis Marks’ battle and to donate, visit justgiving.com/bevismarksheritage