Top Goes Back on Whaling Church Tower
Woodwork was done at Myles Thurlow's woodshop in West Tisbury and then reassmbled in front of the church.
Woodwork was done at Myles Thurlow's woodshop in West Tisbury and then reassmbled in front of the church.
Spires and crenellations were reassembled in front of the church before being hoisted up by crane.
Spires and crenellations were reassembled in front of the church before being hoisted up by crane.
Lead carpenter Myles Thurlow.
Lead carpenter Myles Thurlow.
Project manager John Anderson poses with four gold finials. Thought to be pineapples, they are actually acanthus leaves.
Project manager John Anderson poses with four gold finials. Thought to be pineapples, they are actually acanthus leaves.
Main street was closed while the crane was in place.
Main street was closed while the crane was in place.
When church was built in 1843, cranes were not an option.
When church was built in 1843, cranes were not an option.
Almost there.
Almost there.
Two of the clock faces were restored, and two were completely replaced.
Two of the clock faces were restored, and two were completely replaced.
Scaffolding on church will be removed before Christmas in Edgartown starts on Dec. 11.
Scaffolding on church will be removed before Christmas in Edgartown starts on Dec. 11.
Just about back to its place 95 feet above Main street.
Just about back to its place 95 feet above Main street.
The decorative top of the Old Whaling Church — four white spires topped with gold acanthus leaves, connected with notched woodwork—was placed back on the Old Whaling Church by crane early Monday. The Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust and the town of Edgartown are undergoing a renovation of the 172-year-old building's clock tower, and found more rotted wood than expected. New spires and new woodwork was done off-site and reassembled in front of the church, and then put back in place by crane.
The renovation project should be completed by mid-December, just in time for Christmas in Edgartown.