In November, 1847, three members of Philadelphia’s Christ Church founded a Missionary Association for seamen and decided to erect a free floating church for sailors, dockworkers and their families.
At 90′ long and 34′ wide, the Church of the Redeemer rested on the hulls of two used 100-ton barges lashed together. As such, it was one of the most unusual religious structures ever built and only one of three or four to have ever been made in this country.
These floating churches were all part of a mid-19th century effort of “moving the mountain to Mohammed” in terms of religion. The floating church met the needs of sailors and others who dwelled on oceans and rivers. The unpolished mariners didn't feel comfortable on land and felt out of place in church next to well-dressed ladies.
The Church of the Redeemer was constructed of wood in the Rural Gothic style. Consecrated in December, 1848, the church had a 75' steeple, frescos and a pipe organ.
Moored at the foot of Dock Street, this Gothic wooden church traveled up and down the Delaware River ministering to seamen whose ships were docked in the Philadelphia area. Seating almost 600, it was rarely full as mariner's families often left early due to seasickness.
By 1853 it was decided that a more permanent church for seamen was needed. Various churches were built or used over the years to house the missionary church, all near the waterfront. In the 1920's, the church merged with another to form the Seaman's Church Institute, and built a complex covering the entire block of Dock Street between Front and 2nd, with a 230 room hotel, a restaurant, an auditorium, a home for aged and disabled seamen, a chapel, and a school of navigation.
The property was taken over by the National Park Service, which razed the site and the Institute eventually moved to the former Corn Exchange Bank at 3rd & Arch Street. They were there from 1976 to 2003 and now are 475 N 5th St.
The floating church ended up being towed to Camden, placed on rollers and dragged inland for six blocks to a waiting foundation at the NE corner of Broadway and Royden St. The building was destroyed by fire on Christmas day, 1870.
The 300 lb. bell of the floating church still exists and is owned by the Seamen’s Church Institute on 5th St., having been found via an eBay auction after being missing for almost 150 years.
1925 postcard, Seamen's 1974 photo of Corn Exchange, Church Institute 3rd & Arch St.; served as home for Seamen's Church Institute from 1976 - 2003.
300 lb bell from the Floating Church of the Redeemer
at the Seamen’s Church Institute during its rededication on June 18, 2009
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