From about 1820, many Jewish families had joined the westward expansion of London, placing them at an inconvenient distance from established synagogues whose wardens ("the Jewish City Fathers") required them to attend, even to the exclusion of private worship.

Support was gained from Chief Rabbi Nathan Marcus Adler and, after orderly formal proceedings, the Chichester Road site was selected and the foundation stone laid on 10 July 1862.

On 21 February 1863 The Illustrated London News published an article on the new synagogue and, on 30 July 1863, the building was consecrated by the Chief Rabbi.

[4]: pp.2–4 Notable seat holders included the banker Samuel Montagu, later Lord Swaythling (1832- 1911), and members of the Rothschild family.

[5] During the Blitz of World War II, the board-room was destroyed by Luftwaffe bombing, with the loss of a portrait gallery of 19th-century communal leaders.