The community that would become Temple Emanu-El first held
Rosh Hashana and
Yom Kippur celebrations in 1881. The temple's founding president and
lay leader was
Samuel Ullman, a businessman, poet, and humanitarian. Before its first synagogue was built, the community met at the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church on 5th Avenue North for the public worship services. Land for the synagogue was purchased in 1884, and construction began in 1886. The building, located on the southeast corner of 5th Avenue North and 17th Street, The building was a mix of
Romanesque,
Gothic, and
Moorish revival elements, with a corner tower and at least three turrets, all with bulbous
cupolas. An extensive renovation and expansion of the building occurred in 2004, costing $17 million. The
sanctuary was updated and restored, and other buildings for congregational and community functions were rebuilt. As of December 2025, it had 623 member families. == Rabbinical leaders ==