While the Unitarian Meeting House is special on Nantucket as a historic building, other important elements add to its significance. The Portuguese bronze bell was purchased in Portugal by Capt. Charles Clasby in 1812 and brought to Nantucket by Capt. Thomas Cary in the schooner William and Nancy. At the time of its arrival, the Island was under threat by the British war fleet. Fearing that the bell would be captured, it was hidden for safekeeping in the cellar of Samuel Cary, across the street from the "South Church" building. After signing the armistice in 1815, the bell was finally installed in the church tower. Since then, the bell has - without interruption - rung the hours for the town for 150 years. The bell is struck 152 times after 7:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 9:00 p.m. The weight of the bell, 1500 pounds, was thought to be the cause of deterioration of the original tower, which was replaced by the present bell tower in 1831. Every 4th of July, it is rung as part of town's celebration of Independence Day following a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Nantucketers set their watches by the Town Clock, located in the Tower, which was built by a member of the congregation in 1824. The new Tower, built in 1827-1831, includes a choir loft that opens into the rear of the sanctuary. The organ was built in Boston especially for this space by William Marcellus Goodrich (1777-1833), one of America's master organ builders. Trained in the London school of organ building, Goodrich built fifty church and chamber organs. The Nantucket organ, with its decorated zinc pipes and beautiful mahogany case, is the only remaining authenticated Goodrich organ existing in its original site and in continuous use since its installation. It continues to be featured in concerts by many noted organists and is well known for its range. That it remains in service despite the formidable weather conditions on the Island is a credit to its maker and to the care it has received in the 180 years since its installation.
At the time of the major renovations to the "Old South" Meeting House in 1844, the galleries were removed, creating the present large open space. Triple hung windows, most of which remain intact, were installed and a curved chancel and shallow dome were constructed. Carl Wendte, a young artist, then 23 years old, was commissioned to decorate the open surfaces along the entry foyer. Wendte, born in Germany, came to the United States in 1840 to decorate the United States Treasury Building in Washington D.C. The Nantucket trompe l'oeil paintings constitute one of the true artistic treasurers of the Island. Painted originally using water based paints on the plaster and lathe surfaces of this large frame building has required partial restoration, the last one occurring in 1984. The paintings remain largely unaltered in their configuration and color schemes.
Finally, the building itself is an important part of the collection. An excellent example of an early nineteenth century meeting house, the building is a wood frame structure with a brick foundation. Constructed of heavy timber with a roof framing constructed with mortise and tendon king post truss. The windows are three sash units with 25 over 25 over 25! Original pews and footstools still remain in place. Inside the Tower, there is graffiti on every wall. This graffiti is marked out in chalk and documents many of the visitors who have traveled up into the building. Markings can be found as far back as the 1880s. Finally, in the basement, the church has taken great strides to create a winter sanctuary, a kitchen, an education room, and display space. Of particular interest are the artifacts in this basement area. One element, a Torah recovered from the Holocaust, is particularly poignant and significant.
The Historic Unitarian Meeting House's collection of historic and significant elements is a jewel in Nantucket's crown of historic buildings and places, and deserves the best protection.
