Seamen's Bethel
New Bedford Port Society
15 Johnny Cake Hill
New Bedford, MA 02740
508-992-3295

Columbus Day-April
Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sun. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
May-October
Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other times by appointment only
Donation

"In the same New Bedford there stands a Whaleman's Chapel, and few are the moody fishermen, shortly bound for the Indian Ocean or Pacific, who fail to make a Sunday visit to the spot." - Herman Melville

The Seamen's Bethel was immortalized as the "Whaleman's Chapel" by Herman Melville in his classic novel Moby-Dick. Built between 1831 and 1832, the Bethel continues to this day as a house of prayer and standing memorial to those New Bedford whalemen, and now fishermen, who have lost their lives at sea.

Port Society Chaplains Throughout its history, the Society has had only 11 regular Chaplains: Rev. Enoch Mudge, 1832-1843 Rev. Moses Howe, 1843-1858 Rev. James D. Butler, 1859-1863 Rev. Samuel Fox, 1863-1869 Rev. James D. Butler, 1870-1889 Rev. Edward Williams, 1889-1909 Rev. Charles S. Thurber, 1910-1955 Rev. Gene D. Landry, 1957-1965 Rev. Sidney Adams, 1969-1979 Rev. C. Leonard Newbert, 1980-1989 Rev. Roy A. Richardson, 1989-1993

The Seamen's Bethel was originally conceived during the 1820's by a number of the city's leading citizens who were concerned about the "arduous and licentious lifestyles of the nearly 5000 seamen employed at this port." The waterfront exposed impressionable young men from all walks of life to some of the worst temptations imaginable.

On June 2nd, 1830, these citizens organized under the title of the New Bedford Port Society. The society was later incorporated and "dedicated to the moral and religious improvement of Seamen."

To promote this good work, the society proposed building a "Mariners Chapel" in early 1831. Construction began during the summer of that year. The church was completed and dedicated on May 2nd, 1832.

The Bethel was damaged by fire in 1866 and the repairs incorporated several changes to the original design to provide a more church-like appearance. The stairs were enclosed, a vestibule was added, and a tower was constructed. The interior seating was also reversed to face West instead of East. The reopening was in July of 1867.

Notable Features

cen'-õ-taph

An empty tomb erected in honor of some deceased person or a monument erected to one who is burried elsewhere. Webster's

On the walls of the main chapel hang 31 black-framed cenotaphs which bear the names of whalemen and fishermen who were lost at sea. Twenty-three cenotaphs predate 1900. Most of the early cenotaphs memorialize individuals who were lost overboard during whaling voyages and give an account of the tragedy. More recent tablets list the names, dates, and vessels of New Bedford area fishermen lost at sea. Some cenotaphs pay tribute to entire crews who were lost with their vessel.

Another notable feature in the main chapel is the bow-shaped pulpit, which rises above the pews. Although Melville described such a pulpit in his tome, it was, at the time, a product of his imagination. The popularity of the 1950's film version of Moby-Dick, staring Gregory Peck, drew many visitors to the Bethel. Most of whom were disappointed to find there was no such pulpit. The current pulpit was built in 1961 to fill that void.

In addition to the pulpit, "Melville's pew" bears witness to non-denominational weddings, baptisms, Vesper Services, and memorial services. The pew where Melville sat during his 1840 visit to the chapel is identified by an inscribed marker.

The Seamen's Bethel is located next to the Mariner's Home within The New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park.

Directly across the street from the Seamen's Bethel is the New Bedford Whaling Museum, which is the largest museum in the country dedicated to the history of American whaling.