The Citadel, located at 223 Blaker St. in Marquette, was purchased by Temple Beth Sholom at the end of December to be its future home. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE — Temple Beth Sholom purchased the “Citadel,” located at 223 Blaker St. in Marquette, at the end of December to be its future home.

Temple Beth Sholom is the area’s only Jewish Congregation.

The current temple building is located in Ishpeming. When the building housing Temple Beth Sholom was built in the 1950s, most of the Jewish community lived in the western end of the county. Over the last 60 years, most of the Jewish community moved toward Marquette, following the growth of the hospital and Northern Michigan University.

The congregation has long considered moving its location to Marquette, since most of the Jews in Marquette County live in and around the City of Marquette. Its presence near the university will encourage more Jewish students to attend. The membership was finally able to make this move a reality through a generous anonymous donation and commitments from its members.

The Citadel fits the needs of the Jewish community perfectly. It was built as a Christian Science Church in the 1920s, and retains much of the openness of a house of worship. Its location, near the Landmark Inn in downtown Marquette, makes it easily accessible for Northern Michigan University students.

The previous owners used it as a private dwelling (upper level) with two apartments (lower level). Renovations to re-create a sanctuary and library on the upper level and a social hall on the lower level will start soon. The process is anticipated to take about a year to complete. The famous stained glass windows in the sanctuary at the Ishpeming building will be relocated to the new building, as well as much of the original furniture and fixtures.

The renovation process can be followed at https://sites.google.com/site/ishpemingsynagogue. For more history about the Citadel, go to https://tylerrtichelaar.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/marquettes-citadel-history-of-the-church-of-christ-scientist/