One of very few functioning wooden synagogues.

Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and Germany began settling in LaGrange in the middle 19th century. From the 1850s they established mercantile businesses in LaGrange and surrounding towns. Until the 20th century LaGrange’s Jews did not have a synagogue or cemetery, seeking Jewish life in nearby West Point or Atlanta.

One of the immigrants was Harry Edelson, father of Milton and Marvin Edelson, who emigrated from Minsk, Russia at age 16. Initially a peddler, Edelson opened an Army Surplus Store on LaGrange’s main city square. By 1940 there LaGrange Jewish population was celebrating weekly Friday night services in the homes of the Edelson and Behr families.

Harry Edelson led the effort by local Jews to purchase a former Episcopal church building and convert it into a Jewish synagogue. The non-Jewish community of LaGrange played an important role in the establishment of Temple Beth-El. Cason Callaway, of the prominent Callaway textile family, offered to pay the difference between the $10,000 raised to purchase the church building and the $14,500 would cost. Dedication services were held on August 19, 1945. Although membership has declined as children of Jewish families moved from Troup County, members still meet for a monthly Shabbat service and for special services.