For many years the British Sailors' Society had a resident chaplain in Felixstowe who held prayer meetings in a stores building within the port area. Those people attending the prayer meetings, and Commander John Hough (then General Secretary of the British Sailors' Society), were certain that a seafarers' centre was badly needed in the growing port.
This idea coincided with the views held by the German Seamen's Mission, which in 1971, through the Reverend Bernard Krug, conducted a survey of shipping of the East Coast ports from Colchester to Great Yarmouth. A committee was formed by the societies and, at its first meeting on 10th January 1972, the decision was made to pursue the idea of establishing a seafarers' centre in Felixstowe. The Felixstowe Seafarers' Centre first opened on the 16th October 1976. The picture shows (from left to right) Charman of the British Sailors Society Mr Hugh Bracket, The mayor of Felixstowe Mr W J Rowland and the Burgermaster of Wasel Herr G Detert.
| Centre growth | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 1985 | |
| Visitors | 9,200 | 28,000 |
| Ships viited | 863 | 4,615 |
| Countries | 33 | 37 |
This was a time of growth as the container trade built up so did the traffic through Felixstowe and there was a rapid growth in visitors to the Seafarers' centre during this period.
Her Royal Highness, the Princess Anne (now the Princess Royal), Graciously accepted an invitation to visit the Centre on Tuesday, 16th September , 1986.
Rev Roy Chalkley The Missions to Seaman Chaplin and a guard of honour formed from the Sea Cadet greeted the Princess. The picture shows Her Royal Highness inside the centre being introduced to people associated with the centre. The person she is shaking hands with is the centre manager.
The Royal visitor then chatted to seafarers before being taken on a tour of inspection. Afterwards Her Royal Highness joined the guests for a cup of tea in the Television lounge and signed the visitors book and was presented with a memento of her visit.
The Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company generously allowed the new Centre to be built on pre-determined land on the dock and granted a 30 year lease from 12th April 1997 at a yearly rent of £10. A brand new Felixstowe Seafarers' Centre was built on the same site as the original centre and was opened on the 9th January 1998. The International Transport Federation - Seafarers' Trust provided £458,000 for the new building.
Each year the chaplains and lay chaplains visit approximately 3,500 ships. The centre is visited by 40,000 seafarers annually. In November 2002, the trustees formally resolved to incorporate Ipswich Docks as part of the Felixstowe Mission to Seafarers..
Welcome Facilities Chaplains Shuttle bus Messages Contact Us Links Locality Churches Pubs and Bars Shops & banks Facts Port map Road Map Our Aims History Structure Accessibility Site map