Preserving Morning Garden

A young Unificationist recently launched a fundraising campaign that raised more than $4,700 for much needed repairs at Morning Garden. The historic property in the coastal city of Gloucester, Mass., is where the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, co-founders of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU), began Ocean Church.

Morning Garden has been preparing to welcome guests and campers this summer; however, caretakers ran into an unexpected maintenance issue.

“We have one small problem, the plumbing on the fourth floor,” said Takahiro Kudo, a young Unificationist from Massachusetts who, on behalf of the caretakers, set up a GoFundMe page for the expenses. “We are looking to raise $5,000 to ensure guests have the best experience,” said Kudo. “A donation of any amount will help us make needed repairs.”

Community members nationwide quickly responded, raising more than $4,700 from 33 donors in the past week—just shy of the $5,000 goal.

“Morning Garden is a very special place,” said Kudo, recalling its rich history. “It is the birthplace of Ocean Church, founded October 1, 1980.”

In the summer of 1980, Rev. Moon sponsored the first World Tuna Tournament in the fishing town of Gloucester to stimulate interest in the ocean among Americans, particularly young people. At the time, a local property and house, which previously belonged to the Catholic Church, caught Rev. Moon’s eye and he named it Morning Garden after its purchase. 

That fall, Rev. Moon established Ocean Church, where a number of Unificationists pioneered 24 port cities on the East, West, and Gulf coasts to revive the fishing industry in the U.S.

“The ocean has been such a wonderful teacher for me in my life,” said Rev. Moon, sharing that the sea provides great leadership training among many valuable skills and lessons. “The longer a person spends on the ocean, the greater the spiritual aspect of his life will become.”

The following year, in July 1981, Rev. Moon initiated the first Ocean Challenge program in Gloucester and, in 1986, brought it to Kodiak, Alaska, where today’s annual National Ocean Challenge Program (NOCP) takes place.

“Once a person receives intense training to become a fisherman,” said Rev. Moon, “he can go anywhere in the world and become a leader of people.”

Over the years, Morning Garden has housed numerous tournament guests, campers, and a range of programs and seminars. Kudo said taking care of Morning Garden is part of preserving the spirit of leadership and the community’s history.

“Rev. Moon personally chose the Morning Garden property and spent so much time there,” said Kudo. “It holds a special place in True Parents’ heart and we are grateful for all the donations. We want to care for this beautiful home and keep its history alive for the next generation.”

You can donate toward Morning Garden’s repairs here.

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