The Mission to Seafarers: Wellington, NZ
Our History
Founded in England, The Mission to Seafarers (MTS) traces its history back to the work of Reverend John Ashley, an Anglican Priest who became aware of the difficulties faced by seafarers. In 1836 Reverend Ashley established the Bristol Channel Mission, which was merged with a number of other Anglican ministries in 1856 to form The Missions to Seamen.
In 1898 James Moore, an Anglican lay preacher, was sent to New Zealand to establish the Wellington branch of the Mission, the first Mission to be established in New Zealand.
In 1903 the first Missions to Seamen building was built on the corner of Stout and Whitmore Streets with funds provided by Mary Williams.
The building's facilities were available to 'sailors of all nations, creeds and classes and constitutions'. A large hall downstairs had excellent acoustics and free entertainment such as concerts, dances and lectures were a standard occurrence. Regular services were held in the upstairs chapel. The building also boasted an extensive library and postal service.
As the nature of shipping began to change following the second world war, and with the advent of containerisation, ships started having smaller crew numbers and spent less time in port.
By 1975 falling visitor numbers and the rising costs of maintenance prompted the relocation of the Mission to a small house in Kelburn. The former centre was sold to the Government and was used as a storehouse and community centre until 1985.
When rising property values prompted plans to demolish the building and sell the land, members of the community rallied together and launched one of the largest public campaigns to save a heritage building in New Zealand's history. By 1986 the strength of the campaign forced the Government to agree to preserve it. The building continued to be used for storage until 1994, when the building was converted to create 10 private apartments.
The former “Missions to Seamen” building on the corner of Stout and Whitmore Streets, constructed 1903.
In the years since moving out of the building the Mission has had a number of homes, and from the mid 2000’s has been in various buildings at CentrePort.
In 2000 the global Mission changed its name to The Mission to Seafarers, in recognition of the increasing numbers of women working at sea.
From its beginning in Wellington The Mission to Seafarers has had strong links with the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul’s, and remains one of the Cathedral’s most prominent ministries.
Since 1898 The Mission to Seafarers in Wellington has provided care and support for the spiritual and practical welfare of seafarers from all races and creeds and their families visiting the capital.
The Mission to Seafarers Wellington is part of a worldwide organisation that operates through a network of chaplains, honorary chaplains, lay staff and helpers who show God’s love to seafarers in more than 230 ports around the world.
