2025 GRAND ILLUMINATION WILL BE ON
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20TH!
A National Historic Landmark
THE TABERNACLE
Keep the Beacon Shining Brightly
A Beacon to All
In 1835, Jeremiah Pease, along with six men from the Edgartown Methodist Church, secured a half acre of land for the purpose of holding a religious camp meeting on Martha’s Vineyard, following the religious camp meeting movement of the 19th century. This site became known as Wesleyan Grove. A shed was constructed out of driftwood for the preachers, with a pulpit built onto the front. Past the area of worship, a semi-circle of society tents was formed for housing attendees.
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By 1879 a more permanent structure was needed for worship to replace the mammoth tent that had been used in the MVCMA’s epicenter of the community [the road now known as Trinity Circle]. The intent was to build a wooden Tabernacle, but the expense was too great. A cottage owner named J. W. Hoyt offered to construct one of cast iron for the budgeted amount, which was started in late spring and opened for the first religious service in July of that year.
The great lighted cross was added to the top of Tabernacle in 1926. It towers above as a “Beacon to All” across Nantucket Sound. At the heart of the community, the Tabernacle has been a hub for religious and cultural activities on the Island for over a century. The Tabernacle is an example of extraordinary 19th century architectural design innovations and one of the few remaining wrought iron structures of its type created at that time.
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The Tabernacle was declared a Save America’s Treasures project on July 28, 2000.
Protecting the Tabernacle for Future Generations
It's an architectural gem, an historic treasure, a gathering place like no other, and only to be found on the Vineyard. Praise be!
- Author and Historian, David McCullough
The Tabernacle, which is the largest covered outdoor performance space on the Island, has been a center for cultural, religious, and social activities on the Island for more than a 100 years. In 1978, the Tabernacle and the Campground were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2000, it was given recognition​ by the National Trust for Historic Preservation "Save America's Treasures" Project. In 2005, it was recognized by the United States Department of Interior, along with the rest of the MVCMA site, as a National Historic Landmark.
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The designation reads "This site has been found to possess exceptional significance in illustrating or commemorating the history of the United States for the benefit and inspiration of the American people."
The Tabernacle is one of the few remaining examples of wrought iron structures created at the time - along with the Eiffel Tower.
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The Tabernacle has weathered time since 1879 on the grounds of the old Wesleyan Grove, now known as the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, located in Oak Bluffs, MA.
It has been a destination for generations of Islanders and summer visitors alike. But, after serving so many so well, this "Iron Maiden", a majestic wrought iron marvel of 19th century architecture, is in need of an extensive restoration.
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Phase 1
Stabilize the wrought iron columns with new footings, anchors and braces
Completed at a cost of $340,000
Phase 2
Remove leaded paint from the interior wrought iron, paint the interior and replace interior lights with historically appropriate lights
Completed at a cost of $500,000
Phase 3
Restore cupola including replacing cross with a lit carbon cross
Completed at a cost of $635,000
Phase 4
Rebuild upper clerestory
Completed at a cost of $500,000
Phase 5
Replace corrugated asbestos roof (Complete)
Restore iron trusses and historic benches and chairs (Complete)
Rebuild stage (Complete)
Add internal lighting at clerestories (Complete)
Add permanent ADA lift on or before 5/31/27 (Pending)
Estimated cost of $5.6 million
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