Hardback cover book with white Title (see above) and author text, KVERNDAL, Roald, on pink grey cover. pp 903, ills. Cover image depicts a masted galleon ship at anchor with interior lights at dusk or dawn flying from the stern of the ship is the blue BETHEL flag featuring a star and dove of peace in top and lwr corners respectively. xxviii, 903 p. : ill. ; 24 cmnon-fictionThis book will long stand as the foundational study of church missions and ministry to men and women of the sea. International in scope, it covers in detail the efforts, particularly during the past two centuries, to serve the spiritual and moral needs of seafarers. The author, himself a former seafarer and seafarers' chaplain, spent more than fifteen years of painstaking research to compile this fascinating and authoritative book.merchant seamen, missions and charities, royal navy chaplains, missions-to-seamen, mission to seafarers, roald kverndal, bethel, welfare, shangaing, crimping, health

The original date for the laying of Foundation stone for the first Mission building at Australian Wharf in 1906 had to be changed to the 5th of February 1907 due to industrial action at the Wharves. See scrapbooks and clippings for details. Lord Northcote the Governor General officiated. The invitation marks the establishment for the first time at the Australian Wharf official recognition of the need to establish a Mission for seafarers in this location, some six years after presentation of the letter in 1897 from 22 Captains urging and requesting a respectable and convenient facility. Just ten years later the Mission would have to move to an adjacent site and raise funds for yet another Mission building in 1916. A heavy card with crimped edge with commercially printed invitation in cursive scripts from the Archbishop of Melbourne and the Members of the Committee of the Mission. A blue flying angel Missions to Seamen flag is printed in the top left corner. The invitee name is written in sepia ink as is an altered date. Ink inscriptions: the Rev A.G. Goldsmith and Mrs Goldsmith // ; printed date of Friday 14th of December 1906 is crossed out and superscribed in handwritten ink as: Tuesday 5th of February 1907 lord northcote, governor general, rev gurney goldsmith, foundation stone, australian wharf, the melbourne missions to seamen, victorian seamen's mission, 1907, siddeley street, alfred gurney goldsmith, walter richmond butler

Photographed by Alison Kelly while she was joint caretaker of the building during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly: Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen, Chaplain's lounge room while living quarters for artist Michael Nichols, interim caretaker while Brian Couldrey and Alison Kelly were touring port tourism installations overseasmissions to seamen, built environment, alison kelly

Photographed by Alison Kelly while she was joint caretaker of the building during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991 Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen building, view from southeast corner of ground. Portion of Commonwealth Engine Works just visible at right, 1984 Ford Laser parked in circular driveway near front entrance. From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly:missions to seamen, built environment

Football matches were a popular onshore activity and Annual reports note Reverend Weller in the 1920s managed to establish a temporary pitch and a change room facility near Port Melbourne. The donor, Wally Nancarrow, was a tailor in the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney (from Nov. 1927- Aug. 1935 on Trove) so the relation with the Melbourne Mission is unclear. The shield can be seen hanging above the canteen on item 1713 (dated c. 1950) and in the Celia Little Room. The Annual Report 1936 mentions a shield (p11) seen on page 15: "Football: The competition has been extended this year, and in the future is to include all matches played in Australian ports. The Victorian Missions to Seamen Shield is the present trophy, and the Assistant-Chaplain has been appointed Organiser and Honorary Secretary." The shield may have been done after the one mentioned in the annual report and we can only speculate nothing was ever engraved because of WW2.The collection holds many historic and later contemporary colour photos of crew football teams posed onshore and on decks. Sports and games were an essential part of the welfare services offered by the Mission when seamen had long shore leave.Wooden shield featuring two circular disk silver plaques one on each side at the top. One with the engraving of a ship and the other with the engraving of a footballer. At the top in the centre is an anchor in relief gilded with a rope attached, falling across the front of it and coiling at the bottom of the anchor. Two flags crossing over in the middle of the shield; one the Australian Navy flag and the other the Mission to Seamen flag. Laying over the top of the poles of the flags is a brass banner with the competition description engraved on it. At the bottom is a brass scroll with an inscription about who presented it and where. The shield has 12 smaller, blank silver shields along the sides. The shield is kept inside a wooden display cabinet with a glass front and navy material back ground.engraved on brass banner: For annual competition by crew of merchant ships presented by Wally Nancarrow, Sydneyshield, soccer, football, anchor, brass, silver, wally nancarrow, mission to seafarers victoria, walter james nancarrow (1885 - 1961)

A group of artists created an arts centre and save the Mission building but it was demolished in 1995.Colour photograph depicting the Mission to Seamen, Beach Street, Port Melbourne in 1988. In front of the building is a sign for an art exhibition: " Zeitgeist - Spirit of the Times - paintings by Phil Edwards, Robert Ewing and Anthony May, Sculptures by Andrea Griffin, August 18- September 8 1988."port melbourne, harry a. norris, brick, art deco, 1937, beach street, ww2

This chair, one of a set of three, was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The Church was operated by the Mission to Seamen organisation. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the organisation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This chair is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. Chair, dark brown wood, curved backrest. One of a set of three. he two front legs are decoratively shaped (turned) while the back legs are plain and flat-sided. Almost square flat seat.flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, religion, religious service, st nicholas seamen’s church, williamstown, missions to seamen victoria, chair, religious furniture, dining chair

This painting was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The Church was operated by the Mission to Seamen organisation. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the organisation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This painting is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The painting is historically significant for its connection to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers. The connection of this painting to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Painting, oil on board, behind glass framed with wood. Portrait of a child dressed in white, kneeling in prayer, within a dark room. The artist, P Butcher, titled the picture "The Infant Samuel". This object is part of the St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection. Painted at centre bottom edge "THE INFANT SAMUEL.", and right bottom edge "B. BUTCHER"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, religion, religious service, st nicholas seamen’s church, williamstown, missions to seamen victoria, painting, oil painting, religious painting, infant samuel, p butcher

The Reverend Frank Leslie Oliver, Senior Chaplain at the Mission to seamen from 1930-1960, was awarded an OBE in 1956.Indicative of the recognition of long service at the Mission and reflects early vice regal support for the Mission and services, ongoing Royal patronage by the Princess Royal, and previous interest with visits by HRH Prince of Wales in 1920 and the Governor of Australia Duke and Duchess of Gloucester circa 1945. Sheet of paper with calligraphic dedication and statement in heavy paper folder.see imagepadre oliver, order of the british empire, queen elizabeth ii, obe, padre frank leslie oliver

Photographed by Alison Kelly while she was joint caretaker of the building during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991Missions to Seamen, black and white detail of iron gate from Mission grounds; view to southwest showing Swallow Street sign, outer beacon, edge of Beach Street bus stop, end of Princes Pier and distant Willamstown. From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly: missions to seamen, built environment, beacons

This decorative brass Bible rest was presented to the Mission to Seamen in Williamstown in memory of Richard Hodgkiss, after his death on December 14th 1938, by Mrs M A Hodgkiss. It was used during services at the Williamstown Missions to Seamen and is now part of the St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen, an Anglican charity, has served the world's seafarers since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857. It was a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’. Its location was an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This item is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The Bible rest is historically significant for its connection to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers. It is also connected to one of its members, Mrs Hodgkiss, who presented it to the organisation. The connection of this item to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Lectern, tabletop design, also called a Bible rest or book rest: brass, rectangular surface with clover motifs holes in each corner. Triangular leg frames are screwed beneath the short to create a slope. The lower edge has a vertical, decorative shelf. The inscription is on the top surface, dedicated to Richard Hodgkiss, 1938. This item is in our St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection. "In Loving Memory of Richard Hodgkiss - passed away 14 12 38. Presented by Mrs M A Hodgkiss."flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, religious service, missions to seamen victoria, st nicholas seaman’s church williamstown, church furniture, religious worship, bible rest, tabletop lectern, bible reading, preaching accessory, book rest, memorial object, m a hodgkiss, richard hodgkiss

Photographed by Alison Kelly while she was joint caretaker of the building during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991 Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen building, colour view of western face of tower, showing clock and remnants of painted Flying Angel flag. Two clocks - western and southern - were visible to ships berthed at both Station and Princes Piers. From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly:missions to seamen, built environment

Photographed by Alison Kelly while she was joint caretaker of the building during the Mission Arts Centre days 1987 to 1991From album of photos mostly by Alison Kelly: Port Melbourne Missions to Seamen, southeastern corner of Chaplain's lounge room 1990, while living quarters for artist Michael Nichols, interim caretaker while Brian Couldrey and Alison Kelly were touring port tourism installations overseasmissions to seamen, built environment, alison kelly

This altar and rear reredos were part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The Church was operated by the Mission to Seamen organisation. The reredos was donated to the Williamstown chapel by Miss. M. Breaks, in memoriam Miss. L.A. Breaks, who served a very active part in the Seamen's Mission, and the altar was donated by Mr and Miss J R Schutt. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the organisation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This altar and reredos are significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. They are historically significant for their connection to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers. The connection of this furniture to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Altar and reredos or altar panel, wooden. The timber is panelled, stained and has a varnished finish. The base has a detachable vertical panel with the decoration of a sword and two anchors, the reredos has a cross on a panel. It was made by Hadwen and Houghton, Malvern, Victoria. A plaque at the bottom right edge is marked with the maker's name. The altar is part of the St Nicholas Seamen's Church collection.On removable panel; logo of [sword and two anchors] On bottom right of base: "Hadwen and Houghton, Malvern"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, religion, religious service, st nicholas seamen’s church, williamstown, missions to seamen victoria, altar, reredos, church furniture, religious furniture, miss m breaks, miss l a breaks, mr and miss j r schutt., worship service

This book was a gift from Mrs. Cornish to her husband Nefiea, given to him on September 8th, 1884. It became part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria, and was used in services held there. The Church was operated by the Mission to Seamen organisation. The book is now part of Flagstaff Hill's St Nicholas Seamen’s Church collection. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the organisation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This hymn book is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The connection of this book to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. The brown leather-covered bound book has an embossed inscription on the spine and an impressed cross symbol on the front cover. It has red leaf pages (681 pages). The music and words were compiled and arranged by editor William Henry Monk, and published in London. This Revised and Enlarged edition was printed in London by William Clowes & Sons Ltd. The book's title is "Hymns Ancient and Modern". The inscription shows it was given as a gift in 1884. It has since been added to our St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection. Spine: "HYMNS AND TUNES" Front cover: symbol [cross] Fly Page: "HYMNS ANCIENT AND MODERN FOR USE IN THE SERVICES OF THE CHURCH WITH ACCOMPANYING TUNES COMPILED AND ARRANGED UNDER THE MUSICAL EDITORSHIP OF WILLIAM HENRY MONK, PROFESSOR OF VOCAL MUSIC IN KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON." , "Revised and Enlarged Edition", "Young men and maidens, old men and children, praise the Name of the LORD" Inside cover in handwriting: "Nefrea (?d) Cornish from his wife, September 8th 1884"flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, religion, religious service, st nicholas seamen’s church, williamstown, missions to seamen victoria, worship service, worship music, hymn book, music book, william clowes and sons, st nicholas seamen's church, london, hymns ancient and modern, revised and enlarged edition, 1884

This organ stool was part of the original furnishings of the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria. The Church was operated by the Mission to Seamen organisation. The stool was possibly donated together with the Mason & Hamilton reed organ, which was generously donated by the Joy Club for Fighters, a charity organisation in Williamstown. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen, an Anglican charity, has served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centr4es in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857. It was as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’. Its location was an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This organ stool is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The stool is historically significant for its connection to the 1880s Mason & Hamilton reed organ that was also in the St Nicholas Seamen's Church in Williamstown. The connection of this stool to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, and possibly to the Joy Club for Fighters, highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Stool; mahogany organ stool, angled seat with two legs reinforced by horizontal wooden bar. Legs have a decorative cut away design. This stool is in our St Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, church furniture, religious furniture, religious worship, missions to seamen victoria, st nicholas seamen’s church williamstown, st nicholas seamen’s church flagstaff hill, church music, stool, organ stool, piano stool

The lectern is part of the original furnishings of St Nicholas Seamen's Church, Williamstown, Victoria. The church was operated by the Missions to Seamen organisation. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History: for more, see our Reg. No. 611, Set of Pews) The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity that served seafarers of the world since 1856 in Great Britain. It symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today there are centres in over 200 ports world-wide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria the orgainsation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In the year 2000 the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943 a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seaman Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and into the 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, so the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981 and closely resembles the Williamstown chapel. This lectern is significant historically for its origin in the St Nicholas Mission to Seamen's Church in Williamstown, established in 1857 to cater for the physical, social, and spiritual needs of seafarers. It originated in Bristol, England when a Seamen's Mission was formed in 1837. The lectern is historically significant for its connection to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers. The connection of this lectern to the Mission to Seamen and to the Ladies Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary highlights the strong community awareness of the life of people at sea, their dangers and hardships, and their need for physical, financial, spiritual and moral support. Solid wooden Lectern on two supporting legs. Top section has an angled back and small shelf at front, designed to support a bible. The two legs are supported by decorative wooden bar. The two legs have decorative feet. There appears to be a rectangular label in the centre front of the small shelf.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, religion, religious service, church furniture, religious furniture, lectern