In 1936 High Holiday services were first held in the area, probably at the Corner House. In the following year a disused chapel in Shadwell Lane was purchased by UHC for conversion to a synagogue and there were said to be about 300 Jewish families living in the district. By January 1938 the synagogue had 110 seatholders and the synagogue flourished.
During the war era, Rev. Isaac Cohen, later Chief Rabbi of Ireland was the minister based there with Rev Wolfe Sackofsky as Chazan. The Congregation was very active and there was a flourishing Children's Service with Shabbat attendances of as many as a hundred and children's activities which the children themselves organised, leading to the organisers eventually becoming active as officers of the UHC.
From the children's activities the Balfour Club developed and a Lodge of Junior B'nai Brith. There was a very active Ladies' Guild for the Festivals, overflow services were held at Moortown Corner House which was also used during rebuilding in 1951/2 and 1959.
In the post-war years, Moortown Synagogue became the most fashionable synagogue in town, regularly attracting large attendances, and had to be extended. An annexe was built in 1959 to house a children's synagogue and other facilities. Rabbi Apfel from the Great Synagogue became the regular first reader, with Rev. Wolf Sakofsky as the second reader. The synagogue was closed in 1986 when the congregation moved to the new building in Shadwell Lane. The building is listed and now houses offices.
Courtesy: Murray Freedman, UHC 150th Anniversary Brochure