The Shul | History
Our Synagogue
St. John's Wood Synagogue is a constituent member of the United Synagogue. We are a modern Orthodox community situated in the fashionable district of St. John's Wood. The open spaces of both Primrose Hill and Regents Park, together with the tree lined streets give a leafy feel to the prestigious location of the Synagogue.
St John's Wood Synagogue was the first community to be established in 1876 under its aegis and with the help of the United Synagogue. The growing Jewish population in the environs of the West End led to the demand for this new synagogue.
Our first Synagogue was a temporary iron structure. It was consecrated in 1876 on the site at the corner of Abbey Road and Marlborough Place. It accommodated 250 worshippers.
The community grew so quickly that by March 1882 the foundation stone was laid for a permanent building at Abbey Road, which was ready for occupation the following July. Construction costs were £8,466! A few years later the building had to be extended to accommodate a growing community. In 1920 the Synagogue had to be underpinned due to major subsidence. At the same time the interior was extended with the Bimah moved to the front, adjacent to the Aron HaKodesh. Otherwise, the building remained substantially unchanged until the congregation moved to Grove End Road in 1965.
One of the most beautiful features of our Synagogue has to be the outstanding stained glass windows designed by the talented David Hillman. Please take some time to look at them on this website and share their beauty which we enjoy greatly.
After the War, St. John's Wood became a fashionable Jewish area. In the 1950’s Flat dwelling became convenient and desirable and there was a move from the outer suburbs to the areas close to the West End, consequently our membership grew. It was the increasing size, importance and affluence of the congregation that led the Honorary Officers to undertake the construction of a new Synagogue and Community Centre at Grove End Road. The community centre was opened in 1957 and the Synagogue completed in 1964.
As a flagship synagogue of the United Synagogue, we have played host to major communal events including the 50th Birthday Celebrations of the State of Israel attended by HRH Prince of Wales, the induction ceremonies for Chief Rabbi’s Jakobovitz and Sacks, and the 350th celebration anniversary of Jews in England. In addition, St John’s Wood has hosted ceremonies celebrating Royal occasions including the coronation of King George VI, held on Shabbat, 8 May 1937 and Jubilee Celebrations for Her Majesty The Queen.
Our community holds daily minyanim and offers communal, social and educational events across the age spectrum. We have a Mother and Baby Group, Kindergarten, Cheder, Youth Club, Ladies Exercise Classes and JACS. There are regular shiurim for men, women and young marrieds. We have a Community Service Director solely for our senior members.
Pictures Below:
Series of photos of the new Synagogue Under Construction, 1957-1964
Ministers
Chief Rabbi Herman Adler z"tl, then delegate Chief Rabbi, laid the original foundation stone of the Abbey Road Synagogue.
The Synagogue has been the ‘seat’ of many Chief Rabbis of the United Hebrew Congregations of Great Britain and the Commonwealth since Chief 
Rabbi J H Hertz z"tl succeeded Chief Rabbi Adler and was the first Chief Rabbi to live in St John’s Wood. He and subsequent Chief Rabbis, Sir Israel Brodie z"tl, Harav Lord Jakobovits z"tl and our present Chief Rabbi, Professor Jonathan Sacks have been regular attendees at our Synagogue.
The first minister was Rev S Landeshut who provided Services in the area from 1873. Rev B. Berliner z"tl (our first Minister) was appointed in 1878 and served for 34 years and the Rev Harris Price z"tl was with the congregation from 1891 to 1933, first as a junior and then as a Senior Minister. He was followed in 1934 by Rabbi Harris Swift z"tl who left for South Africa in 1950. Rabbi Dr Soloman Goldman z"tl was Rabbi from then until 1976, and was succeeded by Rabbi Menachem Fink z"tl. Rabbi Cyril Harris was our minister until 1987 when he was appointed Chief Rabbi of South Africa and was followed by Rabbi Dr Nisson Shulman.
It was not until 1917 that a Reader was appointed. Among the Synagogue's chazanim have been Rev G Prince (1917-1935), Rev Mark Hertzberg (1935-1974), Cantor Asher Heinovitz and Rev Chaim Abramovitz, who is now our active Emeritus Chazan.
Our learned Rabbi, Dayan Ivan Binstock together with our wonderful Chazan Moshe Haschel, are carrying on the great traditions of our Synagogue.
Chazan Haschel sings with his beautiful choir, the Neimah Singers, conducted by Mark Temerlies. They beautify our services monthly on Shabbos Mevorchim, on Simchos and on Yomim Tovim.