Father Pitt

This is a synagogue that looks the part every inch, and its current occupants have kept all its distinctive features. It was built in 1913, and the architect was the very local Adam Wickerham,¹ whose office was only three blocks away. It’s a tribute to Wickerham’s versatility that he designed two prominent religious buildings that face each other across Tenth Avenue—this and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church—and made each one look exactly right for its congregation.

1. The American Contractor, February 8, 1913: “Homestead, Pa .—Synagogue: $20,000. 2½ sty. 46×85. Homestead. Archt. A. H. Wickersham [sic], 601 McClure st., Homestead. Owner Rudolph Sholam [sic], Homestead, Plans in progress; M. H. Moss, secy, building committee, Munhall, Pa., will take figures until Feb, 26. Press brick, stone trim, hardwood & yellow pine finish & floors, gas & electric fixtures.” ↩︎

Correction: In an earlier version of this article, old Pa Pitt, who was working on multiple articles at once, had accidentally typed “Point Breeze” in the title instead of “Homestead.”