Cathlin Baker, the first woman minister in the history of the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, calls her church, which dates to the 1600s, “the little church in the heart of the Island.”

“We’re sort of central,” said the minister of three years. “It’s a crossroads, and we’ve been talking about serving from the heart, from the heart of the Island . . . there’s so much that happens here and we want to preserve it for future generations and also be able to do what we’re doing so well, [and] to be able to do it better.”

To that end two weeks ago a dinner was held at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury kicking off a capital campaign to restore and renovate the historic church and adjoining parish hall.

The campaign aims to raise roughly $750,000. The voters of West Tisbury have already agreed to spend $150,000 from the town Community Preservation Act fund historic preservation account on the project. That money will be used specifically to restore the church sanctuary which dates to 1866.

Another $100,000 has been raised so far from private donations.

“We started this campaign last year in the sense of getting the congregation to agree to have a capital fund drive. This is the first one in the history of our church,” said Peter Yoars, who is leading the capital campaign with fellow congregation member Joe Doebler.

Planned projects include exterior work on the white-steepled church such as painting and replacing clapboards, and interior work such as updating the electrical system, remodeling the basement level to prevent moisture problems, reinforcing floor joists beneath the sanctuary, adding a bathroom on the second floor of the parish hall and making the building accessible for people with handicaps.

A second phase in the capital campaign, not planned to begin for five or 10 years, aims to eventually expand the parish hall on the second story, add classroom and office space and expand the kitchen where community suppers are held throughout the winter months.

The church has a long and rich history in the town and on the Island. It began in 1651 in the home of Thomas Mayhew Jr. who was the founding minister of this branch of the United Church of Christ. In 1701 a meeting house was built on land gifted by James Allen (now the West Tisbury cemetery), and in 1733 a replacement building was built in the same location. In 1833 the old church was torn down and a new church was built. In 1866 it was moved to its present location. In 1867 the steeple was added and in 1895 a clock was installed in the steeple. In 1952 the parish house was built; in 1983 it was expanded and a partial second story was added.

Church leaders call it an important new chapter.

“We have gone out to the congregation itself first for the bulk of the funding and we’re in the process of that . . . We hope to, by the end of August, be able to celebrate that we have either hit $600,000 or close to it,” said Mr. Yoars.

An Islandwide appeal will be carried out later through a mail campaign, he said.

“There is practically no one on this Island and even off the Island who won’t be touched by this or reached by this in a sense. There are an awful lot of people who were married here or had their children christened or baptized in this church somewhere back in history,” he said.

The parish house also provides meeting space for numerous community groups from Alcoholics Anonymous to tai chi and yoga classes.

“[The Island community is] very supportive because I think they know how much the town uses this building,” said Ms. Baker.