As a result of the Texas Central Railroad and the city of Houston, Jewish immigrants were one of the first settlers in the newly built town of Bryan, Texas. In the 1860s, the growing Jewish population created numerous established businesses from the Jewish community, and by 1890, there was enough Jewish citizens to organize an official congregation.
For several decades, members would meet and conduct worship services in different family homes, primarily on the High Holy Days such as Yom Kippur. There was no official rabbi at this time and the services would be conducted occasionally.
By 1912, the chartered congregation decided to officially build a synagogue. Around the same time of this construction, St. Andrews Episcopal Church was also being built, sharing the same building material as the synagogue. The synagogue received its name after Mrs. Ethel Freda Kaczer, late wife of the congregation’s president.
Exterior and Interior Design
- Greek Revival Style
- Entrance lobby with two bathrooms
- Raised Bima with an ark
- Center isle lined with wooden pews
- The back opens into a small meeting room
- Beautiful stained glass along the front and the side interior
- Press metal ceiling
Temple Freda was home to the activities for the small congregation, including a religious school with less than 20 students. Because of its limited size, the Temple never had a full-time rabbi, depending instead on visiting rabbis.
By the 1960’s, Temple Freda was no longer used regularly and ultimately was rented out to various Christian churches as a worship space. By 1983, the temple was placed in the National Register of Historic Places, but it was not used as frequently and fell into disrepair.
Learn more about Temple Freda.
A New Chapter
In 2013, concerned Bryan citizens collaborated together to save the building. Temple Freda is currently under the interim ownership of a division of the City of Bryan, which acts as the building's custodian and caretaker during the ongoing restoration process.
Learn more about the Restoration Process.