Jewish Community Center (1961-1984); Paul Robeson Middle School (1998-2004)

This former school was originally constructed in 1961 and served as the home of the Jewish Community Center. The Center's move to this location reflected Jewish migration to the south of Kansas City, and this building was the hub of Jewish life and culture in Kansas City for more than twenty years. In 1984, JCC moved again, this time to its present Johnson County location which once again reflected the move of Jewish community members. This building served as Paul Robeson Middle School for six years and has sat abandoned ever since. Given the building's potential, there have been talks of restoring it for use as a recreational center or school, but as of 2022, it remains in a state of disrepair.

From 1922 to 1961, the Kansas City Jewish Community Center had its home in the Ivanhoe neighborhood, walking distance from B'nai Jehudah's Linwood Temple. During the 1950s, however, much of the Jewish community migrated further south. With more settling in then-suburban south Kansas City and even across state lines in Johnson County, it began to make less sense to keep Jewish facilities in the more urban parts of town. In the 1960s, several institutions moved southward, including B'nai Jehudah on 69th and Holmes, Kehilath Israel on Meyer and Rockhill, and Beth Shalom at Bannister and Wornall. The Jewish Community Center followed, moving to this location in 1961.

Manuel Morris, a renowned local architect and fellow Jewish community member, designed the modern new building. His style was described as "mid-century modern “Googie” architecture, a rather funky, nostalgic, sweet aesthetic." This was the style he employed for the King Louie Lanes and Ice Rink in Overland Park, a building that now serves as the home of the Johnson County Heritage Century. Morris's design for the JCC combines Jacobethan, Classical, and modern styles. Morris also designed Beth Shalom's Wornall synagogue, the sanctuary of Kehilath Israel on Meyer Boulevard, and Ohev Sholom in Prairie Village. On top of his architectural work, Morris also worked for the Jewish Federation and JCC after the building was finished.

Like the Linwood building, the Holmes Road Jewish Community Center had many of the same features one can expect to see at a modern JCC, with a gym, pool, theater, track, and classrooms. It also had a tennis court; at its dedication, Mayor Charles Wheeler was there to cut the ribbon. Once the new JCC opened its doors, it became the center of Jewish activity in the city, hosting plays, Boy and Girl Scouts meetings, fundraisers, sports competitions, and holiday celebrations.

In 1984 the JCC moved to Overland Park, following members of the Jewish Community who did the same. Soon after, the Kansas City School District acquired the Holmes building and converted it into a middle school. Paul Robeson Middle School did not open until 1998 and ran for just six short years, after which the building was abandoned. There have been some talks of restoring it since a 2014 appraisal determined that the building was in generally good condition. However, vandalism on and inside the building is a deterrent, as this would require much of the wiring, plumbing, walls, and flooring to be replaced.

Manuel Morris - Obituary, Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. October 11th, 2018. Accessed November 6th, 2022. https://www.kcjc.com/obituaries/archived-obituaries/5123-manuel-morris.

Hellman, Rick. Jewish Community Center: 100 years and counting, Kansas City Star. August 12th, 2014. Accessed November 12th, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20141011222654/https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/community/joco-913/overland-park-leawood/article1204457.html.

Robeson Middle School, Kansas City Public Schools. Accessed November 12th, 2022. https://www.kcpublicschools.org/about/repurposing/school-site-info-details/~board/school-sites-repurposing/post/robeson-middle-school.