Drypigment.net: Moses’ designs were for Syria Shrine Mosque, a 3,700-seat auditorium. 1913, the Syria Improvement Association mailed a prospectus outlining plans for a new building. A parcel of land known as the old Schenley Farm land was identified as the site for a new building that year. Two years later, ground was broken for the new temple on April 20, 1915. It was around this time that Moses secured the contract for $8,575.00 worth of scenery; today’s equivalent of $218,173.47.
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How unfortunate that a historical landmark got demolished. It’s intriguing how this building was commissioned to be a temple / Mosque and ended up holding so much significance to Pittsburgh. They held antique shows, symphony concerts, and theater performances. The papers even called it “one of seven temples in Pennsylvania.” Looking through the photos of the place, it looks gorgeous. There is a strong sense of history and culture that radiates from these photos, seeing how various events were held at the place. There is also a sense of community because there are all kinds of people pictured in the space. It was clearly not only a space for religious practice but also a space for the community that welcomed everyone. I guess something had to be done to the building though, as it was aging and falling apart. If the building still stood today, it would help tell so much of Pittsburgh’s history.
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