Congregation Agudas Sholom (The Walnut Street Shul) (Chelsea, Mass.) Records

Orthodox synagogue, Congregation Agudas Sholom or Agudath Shalom (known colloquially as the Walnut Street Shul or Synagogue) was chartered in 1887 by a minyan gathered at the home of Monas L. and Gutie S. Berlin at 23 Medford St.(Chelsea, MA) as Ohabei Shalom of Chelsea. In 1901, the congregation purchased a property at Walnut St and 5th. After the building was destroyed in the Great Chelsea Fire of 1908, the congregations of Agudas Achim (which had absorbed the fledgling congregants from Beth Hamedrash Hagadol of Chelsea before the fire) and Ohabei Shalom of Chelsea merged membership and formed Congregation Agudas Sholom, then the largest congregation in Chelsea.

In 1909, a new synagogue designed by local architect Harry Dustin Joll was erected. The building, which can seat 1,109 congregants, was regarded as "the Queen of Synagogues" because of it's large, elaborately painted, sanctuary ceiling and walls. The Aron Kodesh, or Torah Ark, was designed and created by esteemed cabinetmaker Sam Katz.

In 1941, the congregation established a cemetery at 232 Fuller St. in Everett, MA.

In 1993, the shul was accepted to the National Register of Historic Sites.

1887

23 Medford Street, Chelsea, MA.

First gathering for services takes place at the home of Monas Berlin at 23 Medford St. (evolved into Congregation Ohabei Shalom)

1901

Land at Walnut and Fifth Streets is purchased for synagogue.

1908

Great Chelsea Fire, destroys partially built synagogue structure at Fifth and Walnut st.

1909

Congregation Agudas Sholom formed from merger of Ohabei Shalom, Agudas Achim and Beth Hamidrash Hagadol.

1909-1911

145 Walnut Street, Chelsea, MA

New synagogue building, designed by Harry Dustin Joll, is erected with four floors and 1,109 seats in sanctuary.

1941

232 Fuller Street, Everett, MA

Walnut Street Synagogue’s cemetery is dedicated.

1944

Mortgage for synagogue at 145 Walnut Street is burned.

1993

Restored Walnut Street Synagogue is rededicated after two-year fundraising campaign.

Recognized as a National Landmark.