There has been a Jewish presence in Rhode Island since the 1600s, long before the area was a state. After World War I many of the Jews in Providence felt the need to have a Conservative synagogue to appeal to more modern post-War attitudes. In May of 1924 land that had been a botanical garden was purchased from Brown University for the purpose of constructing a Conservative.A little more than three-quarters of an acre, 36,725 square feet, were purchased at a cost of $30,000 which was raised from about 50 donors. The plot is adjacent to Brown’s Aldrich Gymnasium and the University’s sports stadium. On June 24th of 1924 Articles of Association were filed with the State of Rhode Island for a corporation named Temple Emanu-El which stated “‘…..maintaining under free American institutions a house of worship for men, women and children of the Hebrew faith, dedicated to God, to the traditions, and ideals of Judaism, and to the spiritual, moral and general welfare of its members, their families and the community of which it shall be a part.”

By February of 1926 the Boston architectural firm of Krokyn, Browne & Rosenstein was engaged to design the new Temple building. The firm was known to be one of the leading Jewish architectural practices in Boston. They were responsible for many important projects including Kehillath Israel Synagogue of Brookline and the famous Oriental Theatre.

Bids for construction were opened on April 19th of 1926. It was decided by the building committee to award the contract to the E. Turgeon company although their bid was not the lowest. In fact the committee met with Mr. Turgeon and told him that his price was the highest but that he could have the job if he would agree to a price of $148,000. He did and proceeded to build and complete the Temple. To this day the E. Turgeon company continues. Ground breaking for the new Temple was in May of 1926. Construction proceeded quickly and Rosh Hashanah services were held, only four months later, on September 9th on the rough concrete floor of the unroofed vestry of the unfinished new Temple. It was said “”A spirit of joy and pride prevailed despite the sparseness of physical comforts”.

The actual laying of the cornerstone took place during an October 5th ceremony which was attended by such dignitaries as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island. The handsome neo-Classic Temple was completed and dedicated September 27th, 1927. A new school building was completed in 1953 accommodating the rapidly-expanding Religious School, and containing a large second sanctuary. A second major construction project, the addition of a wing with function halls for social events, celebrations, and large-scale programs, was completed in 1959.