Monday, July 25, 2011

Sag Harbor's Old Whalers Church


I'm back from a long weekend spent in the Hamptons and while I organize my photos and unpack, I wanted to leave you with an amazing church I saw in Sag Harbor: The Old Whalers Church. Designed by Minard LaFever in 1840, the building incorporates the then popular Greek revival style with the unusual and quirky Egyptian Revival Style. The original 185 foot tall steeple blew down in the hurricane of 1938 but they hope to rebuild it at some point. I saw this church on a small street in the center of town and it literally took my breath away! Can you blame me?

historic photo courtesy of cardcow.com As always -the other is my own.
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11 comments:

  1. The Devoted ClassicistJuly 25, 2011 at 2:59 PM

    I love Egyptian Revival architecture. Interestingly, I have seen it used relatively often for Christian churches. This is a great example, even without the steeple. And even the fence keeps with the theme with the obelisk piers!

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  2. pve designJuly 25, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    I attended a wedding there years ago and it was such a hot day.....I remember it vividly.
    pve

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  3. ArchitectDesign™July 25, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    Classicist -yes - even the fence posts were done as obelisks! i have a closeup picture but didn't include it.

    Patricia - how lucky! I saw photos online and the interior is beautiful!

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  4. designchicJuly 25, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    What a beautiful church. Love the architecture and the white fence with the obelisks...gorgeous!!

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  5. TerryJuly 25, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Literally took my breath away too and I wasn't even there. Did you get to go inside? So many churches never got their steeples. This one must have been an aid to navigation. Ever seen the Charleston churches from the water?

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  6. JanetJuly 26, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    A little Minard LaFever is a fabulous thing! Fantastic church. Can't wait to hear all about your adventures.

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  7. Toby WorthingtonJuly 27, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    Stefan, I can see why it stopped you dead in your
    tracks! Egyptian combined with Greek always meant
    Late Regency (English) to me so it is surprising to
    see an example on these shores.

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  8. red tickingJuly 27, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    oh i love this church... is this the one billy joel wanted to put a recording studio in? i know there is one there that was for sale (sad) and i think a store is going into it... hhhmmm interesting...

    hope you are well... sorry i have been such a stranger... bad blogger... happy summer !

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  9. AnonymousJuly 27, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Beautiful!! Can't wait for the rest!

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  10. offset printingJuly 28, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    Quite a history you got in here huh. This is great and I think this church has served millions of people and has survived natural calamities. Good thing you were able to take a photo and you shared it online.

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  11. Dovecote DecorJuly 29, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    You should check out Ed Hollander, landscape architect to the stars, next time you are in Sag Harbor. He's a great person and his work is impeccable. Hope to see you in High Point again in the fall.
    Best,
    Liz

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