Forest Park Church Offers Pews Formerly Belonging to Beth Tfiloh to Community

October 19, 2023 JMORE Staff

Are you looking to own a part of Jewish Baltimore history, remnants of where Jews of the 20th century once assembled, davened, and listened to sermons and divrei Torah?

Well, the good folks at Wayland Baptist Church in Baltimore’s Forest Park neighborhood have a great deal for you.

For free or a small donation, the church, which is located at 3200 W. Garrison Boulevard at Fairview Avenue, is offering 20 rows of wooden pews that were originally used by the building’s former occupant, Beth Tfiloh Congregation.

Founded in 1921, Beth Tfiloh was the first Jewish congregation in the Forest Park area and initially held services in the homes of congregants. Its first spiritual leader was Rabbi Dr. Samuel Rosenblatt, a noted scholar and son of the internationally celebrated Cantor Joseph “Yossele” Rosenblatt (who appeared at his son’s installation at Beth Tfiloh). Rabbi Rosenblatt served as senior spiritual leader from 1927 to 1972.

Now located in Pikesville, Beth Tfiloh, the largest modern Orthodox synagogue in North America, and its school and adjoining community center operated out of the Forest Park building — designed by the late architect Harry L. Katz — from March of 1927 until March of 1966, when the majestic stone structure was sold to Wayland Baptist.

Beth Tfiloh's former synagogue facility was located at the corner of Garrison Boulevard and Fairview Avenue in Forest Park. The congregation moved to Pikesville in 1966. (Photo provided by Beth Tfiloh) — Beth Tfiloh’s former synagogue facility was located at the corner of Garrison Boulevard and Fairview Avenue in Forest Park. The congregation moved to Pikesville in 1966. (Photo provided by Beth Tfiloh)

“Our church is a former Jewish synagogue … and you will notice the Star of David on the ends of the pews,” posted Wayland Baptist congregant Candice Brown Coles on social media. “We believe the pews have been here since the early 1900s. Pews are currently in use and have been in use by our congregation in one [of] our chapels … since 1966 and have been kept well. They are in great condition — still sturdy and could use a little refinishing, but can be used immediately upon pick up.”

Beth Tfiloh has already committed to picking up a few rows of pews this week, she said. “We’ve had quite a bit of interest, which was a surprise to us,” said Coles, who is a leader of the church’s media ministry.

In recent years, Beth Tfiloh has enjoyed a strong relationship with Liberty Grace Church of God in Ashburton, which is located a few blocks from Wayland Baptist. The spiritual, social action and cultural exchanges were largely inspired by a friendship between the congregations’ Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg and Dr. Terris A. King Sr.

For information about the pews at Wayland Baptist, contact Candice Brown Coles at Facebook Marketplace.