Bikur Cholim Synagogue
a.k.a. Rodeph Sholom;First Christian Church (Christ's Disciples);So
1545 Iranistan Ave., Bridgeport, CTBikur Cholim Synagogue is historically significant because of its association with a series of ecclesiastical owners, both Christian and Jewish congregations. While the early history is not clear, it appears that the edifice was constructed, in ca. 1894, as the Iranistan Avenue mission of the South Congregational Church. After serving this purpose to 1907, the church was acquired briefly by the First Christian Church (Christ's Disciples), a congregation formed in 1907 and disbanded in 1914. Congregation Rodeph Sholom, Conservative, formed in 1909, occupied the premises from about 1923 to 1949, when it moved to 2385 Park Avenue (see separate registration form). The Orthodox Congregation Bikur Cholim became the next and long-time owner, remaining until 1989 when the building was converted into a shop.
Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.