Four well-known organists will be performing at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven on the evening of Friday, August 14, at 7:30 p.m. Martha Child, Philip Dietterich, David Rhoderick and Nancy Rogers will play the old Hook and Hastings organ. Edson Rogers with his trumpet will take part in this musical program, along with several vocal soloists. There is no admission charge; a free-will offering will be received and used toward the maintenance and repair of the organ.

The tragic fire in Vineyard Haven in 1883 destroyed the Baptist Church that stood on the corner of Main and Spring streets. The congregation wasted no time in building the present church on the corner of Spring and William; it was dedicated in the fall of 1885, only two years after the fire. The cost was $6,500. While the church was being built, the church family met in Association Hall (Tisbury town hall). A year later, the present Hook and Hastings organ was installed. The cost was about $1,000; $125 of this was for the cost of building an addition to the church to accommodate the organ.

In the mid 19th century, E. and G.G. Hook had a thriving and growing business. As their business expanded they admitted Frank Hastings as a partner, and eventually the business was known as Hook and Hastings. A sign of the times advertised Hook and Hastings, Church Organ Builders, Tremont street, Boston. After the Civil War, American musicians, while naturally including traits from European organs, began to develop a musical establishment of their own. The organs were known as American, but still contained elements that revealed their English origin. This type of organ was not electrified until 1948. Prior to this, a blow boy was required to pump the air into the bellows. There were many different blow boys who performed this task during those 62 years. And many were known to us, such as Nelson Hinckley, Al Brickman, Everett Allen, Fred Fisher, the Fischer boys, Stuart Bangs, Henry Burt, Gary Mosher, Herbert Devine, and others.

This little church has been through a period of complete restoration. Members have held periodic suppers to raise funds for the expenses. But this lovely old organ requires its own maintenance, and this is the purpose of this concert. It will be a very enjoyable evening.