Jews in Montgomery first established Chevra Mevacher Cholim, a society to minister to the sick and bury the dead in 1846.

[4] An Orthodox congregation,[2]: 29  named Kahl Montgomery, was formed on May 6, 1849, first meeting in the homes of members, and later renting space on Dexter Avenue.

The brick temple in Rundbogenstil style was completed on March 8, 1862, at the corner of Church and Catoma Streets.

The congregation used that building until 1901 and, despite internal protests about selling the edifice to an organization of another faith, it was sold for $7,500 to a Christian church.

[4] Completed in the Neoclassical style by an unnamed architect, a wide flight of steps led to the monumental entrance through a columnar portico with four tall Doric columns.

Stair towers framed the portico façade, topped by open belvederes with small domes.