Traditional Events at Old Ship
Annual date: the second Saturday morning in December
This special holiday bazaar & cafe features a sale table of treasures from the attic, baked goods, gift baskets, crafts, a silent auction, gingerbread house raffle, and the highpoint: spectacular holiday wreaths, created by Old Ship members. Not to mention the famous Old Ship soup and other goodies served in the cafe.
Merrie Market is one of Old Ship’s most important fundraisers, but, along with that, it provides the pleasure of finding new friends and enjoying old ones through volunteering together. Click here for the many ways you can help out! Help us fill each table with goodies beforehand, and come volunteer & SHOP on a day filled with cheer!
Treasures for Merrie Market are collected all year round! Send your Treasures off to a new life! Drop them off at 14 Main Street during regular office hours or on Sunday.
The Candlelight Concert Series has been presented annually at the Old Ship Church for over fifty years. The concerts were inspired by an Old Ship family who, after a vacation trip to London, wished to encourage the organization of free concerts in Hingham similar to the tradition they experienced in the churches of Europe.
The first concert was presented in December 1973 with a performance by the Cambridge Quartet. The goal of these concerts is to present a wide variety of professional artists performing a breadth of instrumental and vocal repertory within this unique venue, which enhances the enjoyment of great musical art.
The list of artists who have performed here includes many of the finest instrumental and vocal musicians from the New England and American music scene
Performances take place in the Old Ship Meeting House at 90 Main Street in downtown Hingham. Designated in 1960 as a National Historic Landmark, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966, this original Colonial building – the central portion was completed in 1681 – has been in continuous church use for more than 300 years. Observances last year celebrated the 325th anniversary of the meeting house.
Friends of the series are invited to add their names to our list of supporters to be counted among those who endorse the continuation of quality, live musical performances in our community.
To make a donation, please click here and select “Give to Candlelight Concerts” under the top drop-down menu. You can also mail a check to:
Old Ship Candlelight Concerts
14 Main Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Program Notes
The Old Ship Meeting House has a capacity of more than 300 persons and is wheelchair-accessible. Restroom facilities are located in the handicapped-accessible entrance hall to the Meeting House, and directly across the street in the Parish House at 107 Main Street. Parking is available behind the Parish House and on adjacent streets. Children are welcome at performances when accompanied by adults. Out of respect for the artists and members of the audience, please silence any noise-making devices and alarms before the performance begins.
2024-2025 Schedule
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Rasa String Quartet Presents: Redefining Home
Old Ship Church
Formed in 2019, the Rasa String Quartet explores the profound connection between music and storytelling found at the heart of folk traditions worldwide. Their upcoming concert, “Redefining Home,” celebrates each artist’s musical roots through a vibrant tapestry of sound.
Journey with the quartet through evocative Indian ragas, mysterious Argentine tangos, and spirited Celtic fiddle tunes. This unique collaboration evokes the feelings of home and comfort inherent in our earliest musical memories while exploring rhythmic connections across diverse genres.
The program features in the world premiere of a new work for string quartet and percussion by guest percussionist Brian Shankar Adler, inspired by this remarkable musical collaboration.
Join us for an afternoon of boundary-crossing music that will transport you across continents while bringing you closer to home. Please contact Christopher Sullivan at candlelightconcertsoldship@gmail.com for more information. Admission is free; your donation is welcome.
The spring plant sale is an annual event where healthy perennials dug from local gardens belonging to Old Ship members and friends are for sale on the lawn in front of the Old Ship Meeting House at 90 Main Street. This usually takes place the 3rd weekend in May, although please consult the calendar for the exact date each year. Plants are separated into “sun” loving and “shade” tolerant and are labeled with photos so shoppers can envision what the mature plant and flower will look like in their yard. We also sell bags of composted manure from a local horse farm to add nutrients to your garden. Annuals and small garden trinkets are also for sale. To get involved, click here for leadership contacts.