Denver Community Church / Formally Temple Emanuel (Pearl St)

This was the third home for the oldest Jewish Congregation in Denver. The building was erected to serve the steadily growing community, and offers an exquisite example of Moorish and Turkish Revival with distinguishing features such as its two ornate towers.

The temple was built in 1898 utilizing a design by architect John J Humphreys. The building remains the only Moorish and Turkish Revival style synagogue in Colorado. The temple features a raised entrance and two Turkish style towers with pointed minarets. The top of the Temple features a metal cornice and a rose window in the parapet.

This was once home to Denver's oldest Jewish congregation. The congregation was founded with 22 members in 1874, two years before Colorado became a state. Their first synagogue was located at 19th & Curtis. Due to increasing membership, the congregation was moved to Temple Emanuel on 24th & Curtis in 1882. In 1897, the Temple suffered a large fire. The cost to rebuild was too high so they moved to a new location at 16th & Pearl St. By 1953 the congregation outgrew this temple and moved to 51 Grape St in Glendale.

Members during the 1800s included political, social, and economic leaders in Denver. Most notable was Simon Guggenheim a U.S. Senator, Denver’s first fire chief Philip Trounstine, and John Elsner who founded the first hospital. This congregation has a reputation for practicing acceptance over the years, owing to their extensive membership.

Since 1957 the Temple has housed the First Southern Baptist Church, Loving Way Pentacostal Church, Pathways Church, and now Denver Community Church.  

1. Temple Emmanuel, The Masonry of Denver. Accessed July 16th 2020. http://www.masonryofdenver.com/2015/08/temple-emanuel/.
2. The Temple and Its History - A Welcoming Jewish Community, Temple Emanuel Denver. Accessed July 18th 2020. https://www.emanueldenver.org/about/temple-and-history.