Up for auction is a beautiful, highly collectible 1914 hand-colored antique postcard capturing the monumental architecture of the historic Temple Israel Jewish Synagogue in St. Louis, Missouri. The grand Neoclassical structure pictured here was built in 1907 at the corner of Kingshighway and Washington Boulevards. Designed by acclaimed local architect Harvey Ellis, the building was modeled explicitly after the classical Temple of Piety in Rome, defined by its massive, towering Corinthian columns. Founded originally in 1886 by Reform Jewish families, Congregation Temple Israel made this specific structure a landmark of American religious unity. In 1931, Temple Israel joined forces with neighboring St. John’s Methodist and Second Baptist Church to form the famous “Holy Corners Fellowship”, a pioneering interfaith alliance that shared dinners, services, and community work across decades. The vibrant street-level view on this card shows a large, bustling crowd gathered on the steps during the height of its Kingshighway era. The reverse features a fantastic snapshot of early 20th-century rural Missouri life. Sent from Chesterfield to Lohman, Missouri, the cursive message written by Arthur Hensel to his cousin Benjamin Stroble reads: “Hello Ben how are you we are all well we are done digging potatoes we are shucking corn now and we are done sowing wheat I am going to school I am having a fine time at school playing ball this is all the news I know for this time. From your cousin Arthur Hensel.” The card is completely intact with its original green 1-Cent George Washington postage stamp and a crisp, bold “Chesterfield, MO. 1914 postmark. SOLD
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