Congregation House of Israel (Staunton, Va.)

Temple House of Israel is a Jewish congregation in Staunton, Virginia, United States.[3] Founded in 1876 by Major Alexander Hart,[4] it originally held services in members' homes, then moved to a building on Kalorama street in 1885, Temple House of Israel was founded in 1876 in Staunton, Virginia, United States by Major Alexander Hart,[4] who had fought for the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War.[7] Hart served as the congregation's president and minister until at least 1893.[7][8]

Services were held in members' homes for more than eight years. In 1884 the congregation acquired the Hoover School building at 200 Kalorama Street,[2] at the corner of Market Street,[9] and in February 1885 began holding services there.[2] The building still stands, diagonally opposite the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. By 1924 the congregation had outgrown its Kalorama Street building, and it purchased a lot at 115 North Market Street from Mary Baldwin College for $7,150 (today $122,000).[2][3] Sam Collins of T.J. Collins and son designed a new Moorish Revival building there,[1][2] constructed at a cost of $17,000 (today $284,000).[2]