Perhaps you haven't found yourself near 7th & Cecil B. Moore at any point in the recent past or… ever. But if you ever happen to make your way to this intersection, you'll quickly notice one of the more interesting churches in Philadelphia. New Greater Straightway Baptist Church has made their home at 1705 N. 7th St. since the early 1980s, but the building dates all the way back to 1886 when it was built as the home for the Adath Jeshurun synagogue.
AJ moved away in 1911, selling the building to another synagogue, Ohel Jacob. That congregation installed a date stone that can still be found in the front of the building. According to an in-depth Hidden City writeup of the building, the appropriately named Shalom Baptist took over the building in 1967, holding down the corner for fifteen years.
The Moorish-revival architecture here is incredible, and Hidden City suggests that many synagogues were built in this style once upon a time. We don't believe any others have survived, though please feel free to correct us if we're off base. Almost all of the original window openings remain, though most of them lack their original stained glass.
The photos give you an idea of what the building looks like but you really need to see it in person to appreciate its magnificence. The architecture also stands in stark contrast to the PHA homes that surround it, something else you really need to see in person to fully understand. If you happen to be in the area, we strongly suggest a visit.