Tag Archives: Tabernacle

Wandering Through The Campground …

Posted on June 2, 2012 by mvobsession | Comments Off

The Campground ~ Oak Bluffs ~ Martha’s Vineyard

(Click on pictures to enlarge)

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Tagged architecture, Campground, churches, houses, Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs, Photographs, Tabernacle

Tabernacle Mosaic …

Posted on May 24, 2012 by mvobsession | Comments Off

These are just a few of the bazillion pictures I’ve taken of the Tabernacle. Seriously, a bazillion of them.

I live in NJ but my heart and soul live on MV… and on MV they like to live here at the Tabernacle in the Campground . It is my favorite spot on the Island… an oasis of serenity and calmness in the middle of the Vineyard’s most bustling and lively town, Oak Bluffs. This magnificent iron structure was built in 1879… in 1979 was listed in the Natl Register of Historic Places… in 1999 a major restoration began, and in 2000 it became a project of Save America’s Treasures. Those are some of the facts of the building but not necessarily what constitutes the heart and soul of it.

Inside the Tabernacle is a banner that says “truly God resides in this place” and so he does. I am profoundly attached to the Tabernacle and visit it several times every time I’m on MV whether it’s in the heat of the summer, or the cold of the winter… I just magnetically gravitate there, I have no choice.

Many events take place at the Tabernacle. There are of course religious services held during the summer months. The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School holds its graduation there. There are concerts also and what a magnificent setting for a concert. Three that I particularly enjoyed were… Harry Connick Jr and his special guest Carly Simon in Sep 1990 and two Boston Pops concerts.

One of the best events of the summer is Illumination Night in the Camp Ground… it’s a magical fairy land and for me it’s hard not to become 8 years old again. The evening starts with a rousing community sing… the band plays… the whole Campground is alive with the sounds of happiness and joy. All the gingerbread houses are decorated with Japanese lanterns… many of them handed down from generation to generation and some still being lit by candles. Suddenly all lights are extinguished and the ceremonial first lantern is lit…. it’s walked up the aisle of the Tabernacle and illuminates it… as that happens all the gingerbread houses come alive with lanterns… it takes my breath away every time.

So there it is… a little bit about my favorite place on MV. I shall end this post by simply saying… amen.

(Click for Through Jersey Eyes)

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Tagged architecture, Campground, Martha's Vineyard, Oak Bluffs, Photographs, Tabernacle

Lost …

Posted on May 21, 2012 by mvobsession | Comments Off

One of my favorite things to do on Martha’s Vineyard is to roam around with my camera and take pictures of whatever captures my attention. This trip I was decked out with my Nikon D60 and my handy-dandy Kodak Easy Share (which I’m never without).

Took some pictures Monday and some on Tuesday morning. Met with a dear friend on Tuesday afternoon to share coffee and to give her a gift I’d made for her. We took a few pictures of us and that evening at supper when I was checking my camera to see how the days pictures had come out, this is what I saw:

N-O-T-H-I-N-G

My picture card was blank. B-l-a-n-k. I took it out, shook it, blew on it, begged it to restore at least the pictures of my friend and me. It staunchly refused. I’m not a novice with a digital camera, I’ve had two Kodak’s and love them, I’m familiar with how they work and how to delete and NOT delete pictures. I wanted desperately to blame this malfunction on anyone but myself.. but I knew that it had to have been me somehow.

First thing next morning I went to the camera store in Vineyard Haven hoping they might find a way with their magical machines to find the pictures. They could not. Somehow the card got re-formatted and well, there went the pictures.

At least it happened the first day on the Vineyard as I was able to retrace some of my steps and retake some pictures, along with new ones of course.

Here are a few I’ll be using in upcoming posts.

You know, I’ve read where there’s some sort of magnetic force that surrounds the Vineyard and thus make it a perfect place for creativity. I’ve also read that Martha’s Vineyard sits on a separate tectonic plate from the United States. I’m wondering if either of these could have erased my pictures !!! Yes, I’m digging deep for something or someone to blame other than myself .

Wait a minute, wait just a minute… look what I found in the camera !!

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Tagged architecture, Lighthouses, Martha's Vineyard, Memories, Photographs, Tabernacle

Vineyard Churches …

Posted on April 6, 2012 by mvobsession | Comments Off

The Vineyard has about 20 houses of worship ranging from Methodist, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Unitarian, Christian Science, and the MV Hebrew Center to name a few.

The Tabernacle in the Campground (1870) in Oak Bluffs… one of my favorites.

Trinity Methodist (1878) in the Campground

Old Whaling Church – Edgartown (1843)

The Federated Church – Edgartown ((1828)

St Andrew’s Episcopal – Edgartown

Union Chapel – Oak Bluffs (1871)

Our Lady Star of the Sea – Oak Bluffs (1919)

Trinity Episcopal – Oak Bluffs. All houses of worship are beautiful but some have a more perfect setting than others. Trinity Episcopal sits on the edge of Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs… from the altar you can look directly at the ocean… it is breathtaking. As a little girl I would accompany my god-mother and her sister-in-law here on Saturday’s when they’d spruce up the church for Sunday service. My job was to dust the pews. I was told this was a very important job and I took it very seriously. It was boring though so I decided to make it fun by sliding on my stomach across each row. I guess I did a good job as they always rewarded me with a ride on the Flying Horses or an ice cream cone.

This counted cross stitch that I did shows twelve of the beautiful Vineyard steeples. Can you name them ? (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all.

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Tagged architecture, churches, Martha's Vineyard, Photographs, Tabernacle

MV Obsessions …

Posted on March 2, 2012 by mvobsession | Comments Off

MV Obsession is four and a half years old and I’ve never done a post about my obsessive rituals and quirky have-to-dos. So here it is.

I HAVE to wear something Vineyard related every day. I’ve been wearing this watch since 1995. But sometimes, like today, I like to wear…

… a Vineyard shirt.

I’ve had a Vineyard related license plate on my New Jersey car since 1993.

And since 1988 I’ve been carrying this stone from State Beach in my wallet.

Those are just my quirks when I’m not on the Vineyard. When I’m on the Vineyard I have other rituals and compulsions, here are a few of them.

Espresso Love’s blueberry scones. I love them so much I bring them home, put them in my freezer and sometimes, just sometimes offer them to other people. Espresso Love coffee is of course a must to go with the scones. (CLICK HERE)

The Tabernacle. I love this place. No visit is complete without visiting this hallowed place and doing a bit of reflecting… and always taking ‘just one more picture’ because, well, I’m obsessed. (CLICK HERE)

The Bandstand in Ocean Park is one of my favorite places to sit and enjoy just being. I’ve been known to take ‘just one more picture’ here too. (CLICK HERE)

The house my godparents owned. I spent every summer of my childhood here and I always, always drive past it at least twice when I’m on MV. One time years ago I was fortunate enough to step back into the house and step back in time.

Heading Up-Island now. Almost every trip includes a visit to the Gay Head cliffs. No matter how many times I see them they always take my breath away. (CLICK HERE)

When our dog Chappy visits the Vineyard he has his own ‘must visit’ places. The Black Dog for their droolicious biscuits. Good Dog Good for their goodies as well, and to visit the ladies there who always remember him. (CLICK HERE) and (HERE)

All my obsessions, quirks and rituals are not necessarily Vineyard related though. I’ll admit to one that makes my family chuckle every time I do it. I have to end up on my right foot going up or down stairs… stepping on or off curbs… putting on shoes and socks.

Now that you know my obsessions let me hear from you about yours.

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Tagged food, Martha's Vineyard, Memories, Photographs, Tabernacle

Vineyard Valentine Mosaic …

Posted on February 12, 2012 by mvobsession | Comments Off

Some of the places and things I love about the Vineyard.

Ocean Park Bandstand.. Illumination Night.. post card.. Edgartown waterfront.

Gay Head cliffs.. writing in the sand.. Edgartown lighthouse.

Menemsha sunset.. the beloved ferry Islander (retired in 2007)

The Tabernacle.. Oak Bluffs beach.. Gay Head lighthouse.. Old Whaling Church.

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Tagged architecture, boats, churches, Illumination Night, Lighthouses, Martha's Vineyard, Photographs, Tabernacle

Trinity Circle …

Posted on January 19, 2012 by mvobsession | Comments Off

On the island of Martha’s Vineyard - in the town of Oak Bluffs- in the Methodist Campground - is Trinity Circle and Trinity Park.

Sharing Trinity Park for 133 years are the Tabernacle (erected in 1879) and Trinity Methodist Church (built in 1878).

Both have undergone major changes.

A look inside the Tabernacle and Trinity Methodist Church.

Looking at the Tabernacle from inside Trinity Methodist Church… I love this picture.

Trinity Park is a perfect place to enjoy some quiet time… to indulge in some contemplation, read, maybe snooze, enjoy a game of catch, or wander around with a camera.

According to the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Assn. website:

“The original layout of Wesleyan Grove was a simple formation of a circle enclosing the preaching area and the society or church tents. In 1859 a road, now known as Trinity Circle, was built which encircled that area. In 1864, the Association purchased the 26 acres it had been renting. As the area continued to expand (additional grounds were purchased in 1866), it developed in a radial-concentric pattern which was little used in America at that time. Paths radiating from Trinity Circle led to smaller circles where large groups of tents had been located – County Park (Wesleyan Grove), Forest Circle, Washington Park (Victorian Park), Cottage Park Avenue (Cottage Park), Crystal Park (Vincent Park), Washington Avenue (Butler Avenue), Rural Circle and Clinton Avenue, which, at one time, had been the main entrance to the Campground. The smaller circles, some surrounded by larger circles, had small paths radiating from them leading to other circles or parks. The method of the grounds layout was an additive one of discrete neighborhood units, each built around small various shaped parks. Some street and park names (current names are in the brackets) have been changed for various reasons over the years”.

Here are some links:

Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Assn. website

My ‘Bells Are Ringing’ Post

The Tabernacle

Trinity Methodist Church