Artists statement

THE CHAPLAINCY
Although fostered by the Anglican Church since 1906, the work of the Mission to Seafarers’ is inter- denominational and is not limited by the physical space of its buildings. When the old Melbourne wharves and their moorings were still in use, chaplains would also visit ships to look after the welfare of those who could not visit the Mission. Today, the Mission’s ‘Ship Visitors’ provide a similar service. The Flinders Street central complex was purpose built to meet with seafarers’ needs: “...the first thing a sailor would see before the traps and temptations of the city would be the Institute and its comfortable rooms.” (The Argus, ND).
Today, the Mission continues to offer its comfortable, safe spaces and a friendly ear to seafarers, alongside other services that extend well beyond those traditionally offered - including TV, phone cards, and access to the internet.
This window, titled ‘Light of the World’, was installed in 1935 in memory of a former ‘M.V. Manunda’ captain and represents chaplaincy support to the seafaring community.

Historical information

Reflections of the Sea was an exhibition of 10 framed montage of photographs from the mission's archive collection showcasing 10 stained glass windows from the St Peter chapel.
This exhibition curated by Georgia Melville and Catherine McLay, and funded by PROV and Creative Victoria, was displayed in the World Trade Centre Wharf Gallery in June July 2013 and toured to Queenscliff Maritime Museum.
The photographs of the windows were taken by scientific photographer Justine M. Philip.
his frame is showcasing the memorial window to Captain Robert Sunter and a photograph of a chaplains conférence in the 1950s.

Physical description

Framed and mounted on black cardboard of black and white and colour reproductions from the MTSV collection for the exhibition Reflections of the Sea with brief label signage

Inscriptions & markings

on label:
Taken in the courtyard at Flinders Street in the early 1950s, this photo shows eighteen individuals, fifteen of whom are wearing white clerical collars, illutsrating the integral relationship between the Mission to Seafarers ministry and the Anglican Church