The Jewish congregations of Brighton date back to 1792 and the Jew Street Congregation. Consecrated in 1876, the Middle Street Synagogue was the centre of Jewish worship for over a century. 

The Sassoon family, a wealthy Jewish dynasty with links to Brighton and Hove, funded various expansions and improvements over the next few decades, especially in respect of the internal fittings, which are very elaborate for a synagogue. Electric lighting was installed in 1892, making it the first electrically lit synagogue in Britain.

Images thanks to Shalom Sussex.