OLD WHALING CHURCH
JOIN THE OLD WHALING CHURCH CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
SUPPORTING THE HEART OF OUR ISLAND COMMUNITY
For nearly two centuries, the Old Whaling Church has welcomed Islanders and visitors alike, offering a place to gather, celebrate, reflect, and connect. A contribution to the Old Whaling Church is more than a donation—it is a commitment to the heart of Edgartown and the future of our shared community We invite you to join the Old Whaling Church Capital Campaign and connect your family’s legacy to the future of Martha’s Vineyard. Contact Nevette Previd, Executive Director Nevette@mvpreservation.org 917.841.0656
LEARN MORE
1843
Forever
A LIVING LANDMARK.
MARITIME HISTORY.
GIFT OPPORTUNITIES This campaign will strengthen the community and encourage the Old Whaling Church to open its doors wider — expanding accessibility, elevating amenities for civics, arts, and cultural programs, supporting future initiatives, and preserving the Island’s storied maritime past through a Forever Fund endowment campaign.
Ways to Take Part 1.
Built during the era when Martha’s Vineyard was renowned for its thriving fishing and whaling fleets, the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown stands as a remarkable testament to the prosperity that seafaring once brought to the region. In 1843, the church was funded and built by mariners and those whose livelihoods depended on the sea. Their maritime craftsmanship is still visible today: above the sanctuary’s gracefully curved ceiling lies a complex system of trusses and hand-hewn beams, fashioned much like the hull and decks of a ship. Dr. Daniel Fisher, a prominent Island physician, entrepreneur, and civic leader, played a pivotal role in shaping the church into the landmark Edgartown knows today. As the whaling industry declined and the congregation dwindled, the church fell into disrepair, and the original mural in the great hall was eventually lost. In 2010, the Vineyard Preservation Trust launched an effort to restore the artwork, bringing on artist Margot Datz in 2012 to lead the recreation—returning a renewed sense of beauty to this historic landmark.
Contribution to the Capital Campaign for Accessibility and enhanced features for Arts & Culture The project, projected to cost $2 million, is designed to open this historic landmark to all while elevating its role as a cultural centerpiece on Martha’s Vineyard.
2.
Old Whaling Church Endowment The ‘Forever Fund’ is established for each landmark property in the Trust’s portfolio. Each fund is named for its property across all twenty landmarks. Every Forever Fund is a component of the Living Landmarks Endowment.
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Planned Giving Donors may leave a lasting legacy by including the Old Whaling Church Forever Fund in their will, estate plans, or charitable giving vehicles.
ONE MILLION RAISED. ONE MILLION TO GO.
WHAT THE CAMPAIGN IS Leave Your Legacy on Martha’s Vineyard Your support today ensures that the Old Whaling Church remains a vibrant, enduring landmark at the heart of Martha’s Vineyard. Through the Old Whaling Church Capital Campaign, your generosity safeguards its historic architecture, cultural anchor role, and place as a gathering space for the entire community.
WHAT THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN MAKES POSSIBLE Your gift will provide upgrades that will benefit the entire community. •
Three new accessible bathrooms — ensuring comfort and dignity for all visitors
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Provide access to the entry, congregation, and ground floor via a new accessible lift — opening the building to everyone
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Add energy‑efficient cooling and a completely new HVAC system — improving year‑round usability
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Upgrade lighting, sound, and technical infrastructure — enhancing performances, lectures, and community gatherings
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Expand flexible community space — allowing more room for arts, education, and civic programming
The project is anticipated to start the Fall of 2027 to be finished by 2028.
Muralist Margot Datz
RECOGNITION Supporters of the campaign will be honored with lasting recognition inside the Old Whaling Church on a dedicated donor plaque and acknowledged within the building as part of its preserved historic record.