Canada’s oldest synagogue still in use north of Toronto.

Founded in 1925, the Son’s of Jacob Synagogue has served as the exclusive place of worship for the Jews of North Bay, Ontario, for over eight decades. In fact, the synagogue is now Canada’s oldest synagogue still in use north of the city of Toronto.

In July 2009, the North Bay Municipal Heritage Committee unveiled a commemorative plaque at the synagogue acknowledging its important place in North Bay’s history, designating it a Heritage Building. Located in downtown North Bay, the modestly sized synagogue’s boxy shape hearkens back to the building’s original purpose as a commercial facility.

Constructed in 1913, the building served variously as a grocery store, a wallpaper and picture frame outlet, a hard goods store and a retail furniture business. In 1925, North Bay’s Jewish community purchased the building and has devotedly maintained it through the years. Today, the exterior is two-tone, with a whitewashed first story punctuated by arched stained glass windows featuring the Mogen David. Dark wooden clapboards predominate on the second story and provide a strong contrast.

The well-illuminated interior makes extensive use of light colored or blond woods including in the flooring, wall paneling and in the simple, clean lined ark. The main gallery, or shul, contains rows of wooden benches. As of 2009, the Son’s of Jacob Synagogue continues to provide a place of worship for about 20 families.