SCI  c.1843                                                            SCI's Lobby Today

HISTORY

Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) has been a constant presence in Greater Philadelphia since 1843, a time when clipper ships were fast and the telegraph and the railroads were fairly new.  In its first incarnation, SCI was a 75-feet high, 600-seat church that floated on the Delaware River – built in 1848.  This floating chapel, moored at Dock Street & Spruce, in the Society Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia, served merchant seafarers for 10 years.

Several incarnations later, Seamen’s Church Institute was a 5-story hotel covering the entire Center City block of Dock Street between Front and 2nd, with 230 hotel rooms, a restaurant, an auditorium, a home for aged and disabled seamen, a chapel, and a school of navigation.  During World War II, this building served allied naval crews and officers in addition to merchant ship workers.  It was demolished to make way for Independence National Park in 1957.

A couple moves later, in 1974, Seamen’s Church Institute acquired the former Corn Exchange Bank at the corner of 3rd & Arch Streets, in the heart of Old City.  With the advent of new technologies and new shipping patterns, the needs of seafarers had changed.  SCI responded by transitioning away from housing and toward the hospitality, social services, and advocacy we continue to offer today.

Today, Seamen’s Church Institute occupies a large, former furniture dealership and warehouse at 475 North 5th Street, near Spring Garden.  This location houses a comfortable Seafarer Center with recreation facilities, a television lounge, a computerized communication center, and a clothing bank for visiting mariners.  The building also serves as a gathering place for maritime businesses, longshoremen, and our Northern Liberties neighbors. 

WHO WE ARE  

Seamen’s Church Institute is a non-profit, ecumenical service agency called by faith to provide for the human needs of seafarers and the well being of the Delaware River ports, always without prejudice and in the spirit of God’s grace.  We recognize the invaluable service members of the maritime community provide for us and our local economy, and we are proud to befriend and defend them in times of need or hardship. 

SCI of Philadelphia & South Jersey is part of a network of 150 port ministries throughout the shores and waterways of North America, and 750 throughout the world.  We are not only chaplains, counselors, mediators, and advocates, but also ambassadors of goodwill for the Delaware Valley region.