Tabor House, a striking structure on Jerusalem's Street of the Prophets, serves as a lasting testament to the technical precision of Conrad Schick. Arriving in Palestine in October 1846, this German-born missionary and architect spent five decades reshaping the city's built environment while simultaneously conducting foundational archaeological research on the history of the Temple Mount.
Architectural Legacy
Schick managed the House of Industry at Christ Church, which provided vocational training for the London Society for Promoting Christianity Amongst the Jews. His design portfolio includes key urban developments such as the Mea Shearim neighborhood and landmarks like the German Deaconesses Hospital and St Paul's Anglican Chapel. In 1887, he designed the Jesus Hilfe lepers' hospital in Talbiya, an institution overseen by his son-in-law, Dr. Adalbert Einsler. His own residence, Beit Tavor, remains a notable architectural feature, now utilized by the Swedish Theological Institute.
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Over fifty years, Schick documented the topography and antiquities of Jerusalem, frequently publishing his findings in the journal of the Palestine Exploration Fund. In 1872, he secured permission to research the restricted Temple Mount, providing detailed records of the site. His scholarly activities included the initial study of the Siloam Inscription and the first publication describing the Garden Tomb in 1874. Although he examined the site extensively, he publicly contested the theory that it served as the burial place of Jesus.
Topographical Modeling
Schick earned international recognition for his intricate physical models of the Haram al-Sharif and the biblical Tabernacle. He contributed two wooden models of the Temple Mount to the 1873 Vienna World Exposition, an effort that prompted King Charles I of Württemberg to grant him the title of Royal Württembergian Hofbaurat. His final multi-section model, capturing various historical eras of the Temple Mount, was featured at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Several of his models remain on display today within the Paulus-Haus museum.
Fast facts
- Born: 1822, Bitz, Kingdom of Württemberg
- Died: 1901, Jerusalem
- Primary occupations: Architect, missionary, archaeologist
- Major award: Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd class
- Burial site: Mount Zion Cemetery
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Württemberg
Questions readers ask
Where are Conrad Schick's building models located?
Two models are currently housed in the basement of the Paulus-Haus museum on Nablus Road, Jerusalem.
What is the historical significance of Beit Tavor?
Designed by Schick for his family, the building now serves as the Swedish Theological Institute for religious instruction.
Achievements
- Order of Saint Stanislaus, 2nd class
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