Ahavas Achim Anshei Romania was one of many synagogues that popped up in western St. Louis, where there had long been a large Jewish population. But unlike other waves of Jewish emigration from Western Europe, now many arrived from the eastern portion of the continent. I would assume that Romanian Jews founded this location. Or did the name come from the cross street, Romaine? These were definitely Eastern European Jews, though.
While many huge, elaborate synagogues sit along the major thoroughfares of Central St. Louis, there were these more humble, architecturally difficult to quantify synagogues through the West End. I like this building in its simplicity; rusticated limestone with simple Roman arched windows. But the Star of David window is always the dead giveaway, even as these transitioned into churches.
Thanks to Jeff Vines for helping to identify this building.