The idea of an Uppertown Congregation began in 1910 when families had to walk to Lowertown synagogues for Holy Day services in bad weather. In 1911, the residents of Uppertown began to hold services in a public hall at 219 Bank Street and at the home of Mr. J. R. Fogle at 384 Bank Street. For these services, the Congregation had to rent a Torah from another shul for $10. They were later able to purchase their own through donations. It was in 1914 that they bought a house at 54 James Street as their shul, with a $4,000 mortgage and $1,000 in cash.
The new Synagogue was named B'nai Jacob at the suggestion of Mr. A. Bookman and Mr. J. R. Fogle. A Talmud Torah was also organized and housed around 40 children. Rev. Morris Lappin was paid $1,200 a year for his services which included chazzan and mohel. In 1931, a renovation of the Shul was completed. Thirteen years later, on November 19, 1944, the Congregation celebrated the burning of the mortgage.
In the late 1960's, the membership had decreased to about 12 or 15 which made it difficult to form a minyan. The Congregation was amalgamated into Beth Shalom in 1971. It brought with it the Sifrei Torah and cornerstone of the James Street Synagogue. Rev. Samuel Schreiber served as cantor and shoichet for 35 years, until the James Street Shul closed its doors. The building was later sold to the Temple Israel Congregation.
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