During the 1910s, several Hidalgo and Cameron County families founded a small Jewish congregation. The temple lacked a permanent Rabbi; lay readers led most services, while a student Rabbi was hired to lead high holy day services. The group first worshipped in rented space, but in 1935, Temple Beth Israel (House of Israel) was designed by Weslaco architect Newell Waters and was erected at 402 W. Tenth Street. Members of the congregation represented surrounding business communities as clothing and furniture merchants, newspaper publishers and jewelers. By the late 1940s, the growth of McAllen and Harlingen reduced the congregation’s size, and in 1948, the membership voted to dissolve, with members joining congregations in the two neighboring cities.
Temple Beth Israel
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Temple Beth Israel is a historical marker in Mercedes, Hidalgo County, dedicated in 2010. It is one of 138 historical markers documented in Hidalgo County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 236 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 26.1418, -97.9136 near Mercedes. The nearest cataloged historic site is 1st North Dakota Infantry (historical marker), about 0.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Mercedes Enterprise, Mercedes City Hall, and Immanuel Lutheran Church.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016329. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
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