Poppy Drive Realty Trust closed on the five-bedroom property with private beach access Friday afternoon.
The historic Mayhew Parsonage on South Water street in Edgartown sold for $9 million last week, changing hands for the first time in more than 65 years.
Poppy Drive Realty Trust closed on the five-bedroom property with private beach access Friday afternoon. Realty trusts are often created to protect the privacy of a buyer.
The property had originally been listed for $9.95 million, but a 2022 assessment valued the parsonage at $15 million. The land alone had been assessed at more than $13 million.
The Mayhew Parsonage has been a distinguishing feature of the Edgartown harbor since the 1800s. The Federated Church, which has owned the property since the 1950s, put the home up for sale in December after a two-year deliberation process. Facing dwindling congregation numbers and increasing maintenance costs, the church felt the proceeds from the highly-valued waterfront property could better serve the church’s mission.
Church officials previously said they couldn't afford to keep the highly-valued waterfront home.
Church officials previously said they couldn't afford to keep the highly-valued waterfront home.
“We just don’t have the income we used to, so we can’t afford a big house anymore,” church moderator Gretchen Regan said in January. “It was not a decision anyone made lightly.”
The current parsonage had been built in 1832 by Joseph Mayhew, a descendant of Thomas Mayhew, the Vineyard’s first governor and the church’s founder. The adjoining land had also served as Mr. Mayhew’s homestead in the 1600s.
Since coming under church ownership, the parsonage became home to a series of Federated Church pastors. Rev. Mark Winters, who joined the church in February, is the first minister to stay at a rented house on Dark Woods Road in Edgartown. Church officials have previously said that the church planned to buy the property once the parsonage sale had gone through, and church historian Elizabeth Villard confirmed those plans Monday.
“I am delighted to see the old parsonage pass into the hands of people who will be able to take care of it," Ms. Villard said in an email to the Gazette. "I look forward to the purchase of a new parsonage...and other projects that the funds from the sale will make possible.”
The parsonage was sold unfurnished, as is, the majority of its contents having been given away or sold at an estate sale earlier this year.
Comments
Ridiculously low price.
Lorraine EdgartownRidiculously low price.
I understand, but so sad.
Cindy Flanders EdgartownI understand, but so sad. Say goodbye to the grass and the lovely view of Edgartown Harbor would be my guess.
Remember there is a permanent
John Brittain Vero BeachRemember there is a permanent view easement deed restriction on the property which should help protect this remaining and last open view of Edgartown Harbor from South Water St.
Ok, so here is my point. A
Susan WTisOk, so here is my point. A property that is a Vineyard icon and gem that has historical relevance is SOLD TO A real estate trust. READ: rich summer people that will ruin it and sell it again for 30 million. So please don’t say it’s the people that do the buying. It’s the SELLERS and who they sell to. “New money is just old money that got away” an old Yankee once said.
Such a loss to us but
Patricia Tyra Dania Beach & EdgartownSuch a loss to us but hopefully will be appreciated by new owners. I have memories going back to teenage winter time there, summer receptions and tea parties plus the wonderful view which I understand is to be preserved from the road to the water!
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