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New Bedford Port Society: Seamen's Bethel & Mariner's Home

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New Bedford Port Society: Seamen's Bethel & Mariner's Home

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The Seamen’s Bethel is the “Whalemen’s Chapel” of Melville’s Moby-Dick.

Owned and managed by the New Bedford Port Society it has been serving the maritime community for 180 years and is one of the most historic buildings in New Bedford. Founded in 1830, the New Bedford Port Society maintains the historic Seamen’s Bethel and Mariner’s Home located on the top of Johnny Cake Hill in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park. Serving the maritime community for over 175 years, the Seamens’ Bethel is also the site of dozens of weddings, christenings and memorial services each year.

11/04/2026

A fishing voyage that began in New Bedford on December 16, 1961 ended in tragedy just three days later. The Barbara & Gail was a 90-foot fishing vessel carrying ten crew members bound for Georges Bank. After losing her rudder on December 18, the vessel requested assistance from the Coast Guard. During the return journey, worsening weather complicated the tow. A navigational error led the vessel onto Rose and Crown Shoal near Nantucket. She sank shortly after 2 a.m. on December 19, claiming five lives.
Those lost were Terrance McCarthy, Joseph Costa Jr., Roger R. Desroches, Walter Wicherski, and Calvin Roberts. Five others survived the sinking and were rescued by the Coast Guard. Through our Beyond the Names series, we remember the fishermen whose lives were lost and the families left to mourn them. The Barbara & Gail is memorialized within the Seamen’s Bethel, where visitors are invited to reflect on her history and pay their respects.

10/30/2026

Have you snapped a selfie with Herman yet? Herman Melville has been keeping watch over Johnny Cake Hill and we want to see your best photos with him! Whether you've already stopped by or haven't had the chance yet, come strike a pose with Herman and check out where the famous author attended services at the Seamen's Bethel today.

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10/28/2026

On July 11, 1958, the lobster boat R. W. Griffin collided with the British freighter City of Karachi approximately 70 miles south of Martha's Vineyard. Four members of the seven-man crew were rescued by the Coast Guard, but Captain Warren B. Vincent, Engineer Milton Taber, and Cook John Paulsen were never found. The collision marked a tragic end to their voyage and left three families mourning the loss of their loved ones.
Through our Beyond the Names series, we remember the R. W. Griffin and the dangers faced by those who made their living at sea. More than six decades later, we continue to honor their memory and invite you to visit the Seamen's Bethel to reflect on the lives and stories of those lost at sea.

10/23/2026

Did you know that sailors visiting New Bedford once had access to a free reading room through the New Bedford Port Society? An 1877–1878 city directory documents the Marine Reading Room at the Seamen’s Bethel and Mariners' Home. Overseen by Reverend James D. Butler, the room offered newspapers and magazines for sailors to enjoy while ashore. The service was still listed in New Bedford's city directory in 1895, nearly two decades later!
This little-known piece of our history highlights another way the New Bedford Port Society served the city's maritime community. From providing a place of worship to offering opportunities for reading and recreation, the organization helped make life ashore more welcoming for generations of mariners. Feel free to visit the Seamen’s Bethel on Johnny Cake Hill and discover more about the history of the New Bedford Port Society and its longstanding connection to those who worked at sea!

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10/21/2026

In January 1955, the Doris Gertrude was among the many fishing vessels working the waters of Georges Bank. The 73-foot scalloper encountered worsening weather on January 13, prompting her crew to secure their fishing gear. Sadly, the vessel never returned to port.
Reported overdue on January 26, the Doris Gertrude became the focus of a Coast Guard search that continued into February. Tragically, no trace of her eleven crewmen was found. Among those lost was Henry Zalewski, a father of three whose wife and children had been away visiting family. In all, eighteen children were left without their fathers.
Our Beyond the Names series remembers the people behind these tragedies and the families who carried their memories forward. The crew of the Doris Gertrude is commemorated at the Seamen’s Bethel, where their names continue to hold a place in New Bedford’s maritime history. We encourage you to visit and take a moment to remember the eleven men who never made it home.

10/16/2026

Looking for something to do indoors this rainy Friday? The Seamen’s Bethel has you covered! Escape the rain and explore one of New Bedford’s most treasured landmarks. From its memorials honoring those lost at sea to its connection with Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick, there’s plenty to discover inside this historic building.
Stop by for a visit from 10am-4pm and make the most of a rainy day in New Bedford!

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10/14/2026

Not every name preserved at the Seamen’s Bethel marks the loss of an entire vessel. For the Comber, the tragedy centered on one fisherman, Captain Edwin A. Lemberg. In the early morning hours of September 6, 1955, the Comber was fishing about 25 miles southeast of Nomans Land when Captain Lemberg went overboard as the crew prepared to haul their nets. His fellow fishermen searched the surrounding waters for approximately three hours, but they were unable to find him. Lemberg, who owned the newly built Comber, was 45 years old.
His name remains a reminder of how quickly an ordinary day of work at sea could become a profound loss for a crew, a family, and a community. Through our Beyond the Names series, the New Bedford Port Society remembers Captain Edwin A. Lemberg and the generations of fishermen whose stories are preserved at the Seamen’s Bethel. Visitors are welcome to view these memorials and take a moment to remember the lives behind the names.

10/12/2026

While lighthouses have long guided ships safely along our coastlines, lightships served a similar purpose in waters where permanent structures could not be built. These floating navigational stations used powerful lights and fog signals to help mariners navigate dangerous areas such as the notorious Nantucket Shoals. On May 15, 1934, Nantucket Lightship No. 117 was struck by the ocean liner Olympic, sister ship of the Titanic. The collision occurred during heavy fog and claimed the lives of seven crewmen, including five from New Bedford. Their memory is preserved in the Whaleman's Chapel at the Seamen's Bethel. A memorial plaque honors John Fortes, Isaac J. Pina, Ernest B. George, Alfredo Monteiro and Matheus F. Rodriques.
This remarkable maritime history is featured in The Lightships of Cape Cod by Frederic L. Thompson. The book contains historic photographs and accounts of these important vessels. The New Bedford Port Society sincerely thanks Ellen Witt for generously donating this book to our collection. We invite you to visit the Seamen's Bethel at 15 Johnny Cake Hill in New Bedford to view the book on display and see the memorial honoring these five local mariners. Discover more about our region's maritime heritage during your visit!

10/10/2026

A wonderful evening at the Seamen’s Bethel! We would like to extend our sincere thanks to author and historian Eric Jay Dolin for joining us Friday evening, and to all of our guests who came out to enjoy the occasion.
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10/09/2026

Looking for a small reminder of your visit to the Seamen’s Bethel? These Herman Melville keychains are one of the items visitors can receive with a donation of $7 or more to the New Bedford Port Society. Whether you’re a Melville fan, a New Bedford history enthusiast, or simply looking for a keepsake from your visit, be sure to take a look the next time you’re at the Seamen’s Bethel. Also keep an eye on our website! Our collection of New Bedford Port Society merchandise will soon be available online with a donation.

https://nbportsociety.org/

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Address

15 Johnny Cake Hl
New Bedford, MA
02740

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 4pm
Tuesday	10am - 4pm
Wednesday	10am - 4pm
Thursday	10am - 4pm
Friday	10am - 4pm
Saturday	10am - 4pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm

Website

http://nbportsociety.org/

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