Merthyr Tydfil was one of the two main centres of the Jewish community in Wales, other other being Cardiff. At it's peak, the community numbered around 400 Jews, being made up of a mercantile class of shop-keepers, clothiers, jewellers, watch-makers and pawn-brokers and a sizeable community of Russian Jewish labours working at the Dowlais Ironworks. Many came from Eastern Europe and Russia during the 1880's and left Merthyr for the US and Canada in the early to mid 1900's when the iron and steel industries were in their final decline and their were high levels of unemployment.

The Merthyr Hebrew congregation was established in 1848 with the first synagogue built on Victoria Street. The new synagogue was built in 1852-53 on a site between John Street and Church Street, located to the rear of the the Temperance Hall. Opening on the 22nd February 1853, The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian reported on 5th March 1853 that 'At the back of the Temperance Hall the lost sheep of the House of Israel have recently opened a pretty little synagogue; and it was recently opened an inaugerated in due form. the Rev. A L Green, of the Great Synagogue, officiated on the occasion and we were invited to attend, but were unfortunately unable to do so'. The Welshman reported on 4th March 1853 'The Jewish Synagogue was formally opened here last week. The Rev. Mr: Green, of London, officiated on the occasion. He enforced moral duties on the audience in very eloquent language. We observed about 60 or 70 Jews present, and several of the respectable inhabitants of the town who has been invited to attend.'

The building went out of use as a synagogue with the opening of the synagogue on Church Road in 1877 (NPRN 11795). The Western Mail reported in September 1877 that the building was being considered as the location for a new Merthyr 'Literary Institute and Reading Rooms', but to the disappointment of the founders of the Institute, the building had already been sold.

The building is still shown as extant on the 3rd edition OS mapping, but all that now remains is a single wall.

S Fielding RCAHMW February 2019