Financial District in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Seaman’s Church Institute
50 Broadway (formerly 241 Water Street), James Stewart Polshek, architect 1991
— Exploring Lower Manhattan —
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 19, 2019
1. Seaman’s Church Institute Marker
The chapels proved so unexpectedly popular with landlubbers that seats had to be reserved for the seafarers, testifying to New Yorkers’ love of novelty.
Though the floating chapels are long gone, the Institute has locations throughout the U.S. and serves sailors all over the world. Once operating at 241 Water Street, it has moved its headquarters to 50 Broadway. Its enormous collection of historic items, once on display at its former Water Street location, has been moved to Queens College. Today, 241 Water Street is occupied by the Blue School.
Erected by Alliance for Downtown New York.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.
Location. 40° 42.475′ N, 74° 0.157′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in the Financial District. Marker is on Water Street near Beekman Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 247 Water Street (within shouting distance of this marker); Bowne & Co. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 206 Front Street (about 300 feet away); First ferry service in New York (about 300 feet away); Fulton Fish Waist - 142 Beekman Street (about 300 feet away); 203 Front Street (about 400 feet away); 207 - 211 Water Street (about 400 feet away); Titanic Memorial Lighthouse (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 19, 2019
2. Seaman’s Church Institute Marker site
Across the street from 241 Water Street.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, April 19, 2019
3. Seaman’s Church Institute building
… as the Blue School.
4. Inset
"The Institute’s award-winning former headquarters (now occupied by the Blue School) deftly combines historic preservation and modern whimsy, in a design that suggests nothing so much as a steamship tied up at the South Street Seaport. The architects restored a 1799 ship chandlery, modeled an extension on its brick windows and storefront; and then let their nautical imaginations run riot in upper decks of porcelain-enameled steel panels and railings, and a yardarm flying the Institute’s colors."
5. Inset
A floating chapel
6. Inset
"The ship’s bell, now on display in Port Newark, has been with the Institute since 1846, when it hung in the belfry of the first floating chapel. It was recovered from the ill-fated steamboat Atlantic, which sank off the Connecticut shore on its maiden voyage. The bell’s urgent ringing could be heard along shore all night – even, according to legend, after the Atlantic had vanished beneath the waves."
Photographed By Larry Gertner, 2005
7. Seaman’s Church Institute wayside, "Exploring Downtown" version.
Very similar to the current wayside, the last paragraph here refers to the Water Street Gallery and its contents, which were removed when the building was sold.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 416 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 24, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 7. submitted on November 4, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
