MVCMA - Taberncle Rehabilitation 2008

Scaffolding on the Tabernacle

Architecturally, the Tabernacle is a unique structure, with wrought iron arches and supports, two clerestories with dozens of colored glass windows, and an octagonal cupola. In 1979, on the Centennial of the Tabernacle, the MVCMA was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2000, the Tabernacle was designated as an official project of "Save America's Treasures."

See more Tabernacle Rehabiliation photos here

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Long Before

Renovating the
Tabernacle

During the fall, winter and early spring of 2007-08, the upper cupola of the Tabernacle is undergoing renovation. Built in 1879 by John W. Hoyt of Springfield, Massachusetts, the tabernacle is the center of religious and cultural events in the MVCMA grounds during the summer. Church services are held weekly in the Tabernacle during the months of July and August, and a variety of cultural events are held there nearly every week during the summer. The first event of the season is the graduation ceremonies of the Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.

In early December scaffolding was erected outside of the top of the cupola facilitate renovations to install a new zinc-coated copper roof and Kynar painted steel sides and vanes on the cupola and to paint the interior wrought iron framing. A new carbron-fiber cross will be installed, to be lit from below. These renovations cost more than $600,000, with most of the funds raised from donations, including a generous contribution from the town of Oak Bluffs.

Before: Inside the cupola

Additional renovations were made to the windows in the upper and lower clerstories in 2009, to restore the tabernacle and prepare it for another century of service to the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association and the island of Martha's Vineyard.

More Tabernacle Rehab Photos in 2008
Removing the 1926 Cross
Installing the New 2008 Cross

Contributions to the restoration fund can be made to MVCMA Tabernacle Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 367, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. The MVCMA Tabernacle Restoration Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.