New Bedford in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
The Seamen's Bethel
Photographed By Bryan Simmons, August 2012
1. The Seamen's Bethel Marker
Saving Mariners' Souls
After months at sea, many whaling men were unable to resist the temptations of this port city. In 1832, the New Bedford Port Society for the Moral Improvement of Seamen opened this mariners' chapel "to protect the rights and interests of Seamen, and to furnish them with moral, intellectual and religious instruction."
By supplying Bibles and nondenominational services, the Bethel (chapel) hoped to combat all those influences to which the port's mariners fell prey-liquor, licentiousness, and dishonest merchants. A survey in 1852 found 37 "liquor shops" and 21 "houses of ill repute" in this ward alone.
Erected by National Parks Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1832.
Location. 41° 38.098′ N, 70° 55.412′ W. Marker is in New Bedford, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. Marker is on 1st Street just north of Union Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Tribute of Respect to Enterprising Whalemen (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Seamen’s Bethel (a few steps from this marker); Viking (a few steps from this marker); The Mariner's Home (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Paul Cuffe (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Captain Paul Cuffe (within shouting distance of this marker); Twentieth-Century Whaling (within shouting distance of this marker); Trial by Fire (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bedford.
Also see . . . Seamen''s Bethel. (Submitted on August 8, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts.)
Additional keywords. Whalemen's Chapel,Herman Melville, Moby Dick
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015
2. The Seamen's Bethel Marker
View of the marker with the Seamen's Bethel in the background.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015
3. The Seamen's Bethel Marker
View of the marker looking south along Johnny Cake Hill.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 30, 2015
4. The Seamen's Bethel Marker
View of the marker looking north along Johnny Cake Hill.
Photographed By Bryan Simmons, August 2012
5. The Seamen's Bethel
Photographed By Bryan Simmons, August 2012
6. The Seamen's Bethel
Photographed By Bryan Simmons, August 2012
7. The Seamen's Bethel
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 23, 2017
8. Inside the Seamen's Bethel
Note the pulpit in the shape of a boat. The Bethel's pulpit did not originally look like this. It was changed in response to the grumbling of visitors who expected it to resemble the description that appeared in Herman Melville's book "Moby Dick". Melville attended services in this Bethel.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 528 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 8, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 8, 2012, by Bryan Simmons of Attleboro, Massachusetts. 8. submitted on August 24, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
