Houston International Seafarers Center
The Houston International Seafarers Center is a ‘home away from home’ for seafarers visiting the Port of Houston by meeting their spiritual, social and physical needs through support, assistance and fellowship. We visit ships 7 days a week, 365 days a year. We are a secure resource for transportation, various communication service tools, building relationships and providing a safe harbor for all seafarers.
Our History
Chartered in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Texas, the Center has during its existence, served over a million visiting seafarers. The Center exists as the result of a deep desire and concern within the local maritime industry, followed by active support and involvement of the community and local churches, to provide a safe and welcoming recreational and spiritual environment on land for those who have chosen the sea as their livelihood.
Recognizing that all human persons are a gift of God, the mission of the chaplains and Committee for Ministry to the Port of Houston is to carry out a ministry of presence, outreach, witness, worship, service, and advocacy to, with, and for seafarers and their families from around the world.
In 1963, a Belgian sea captain who immigrated to the U.S. had a dream of a place for seamen to go in the Port of Houston. He had sailed to this port many times and had found that it had not received the name of “Worst port in the world” for seamen without reason. He dreamed of a great seamen center and sold this dream to several others involved in shipping in one way or another. The result was the formation of the Houston International Seaman Center, Inc. This body functioned in a semi-dormant state for some five years.
In 1968 three ministers (Rev. Taft Lyon, Presbyterian; Rev. Sam Duree, United Methodist; and Fr. Rivers Patout, Roman Catholic) who were working together in an ecumenical venture, caught a vision of the need of the seamen. They asked around and found that there had been several fruitless efforts to start a center for seamen, but nothing lasting had resulted. They heard about this secular group which included many well-known Houston names such as Howard Tellepsen and Jane Blaffer Owen and contacted them. This was the beginning of a unique coalition that was to bring to existence a “one of a kind” service to the seafarers that came to the Port of Houston.
This nucleus of three ministers formed a committee known as the “Committee on Ministry to International Seamen, Port of Houston.” From these three men with a dream, a ministry formed that at one time included eleven denominations: Episcopal, three Lutheran, United Methodist, Catholic, two Presbyterians, Norwegian Seamen’s Church, Southern Baptists, Greek Orthodox & Houston Rabbinical Association.
Our Work
Our Location
The Houston International Seafarers Center location:
Howard T. Tellepsen Seafarers Center
9750 High Level Road,
Houston, Texas, 77029
Inside Port Houston Main Entrance
Our Facilities
Rec Room and Bar
The Houston International Seafarers Center is a ‘home away from home’ for seafarers visiting the Port of Houston and offers a welcoming environment tailored to their needs. The Rec Room and Bar provide a space where seafarers can unwind with comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, table games, television, and a wide selection of free books, magazines, and games. With a karaoke machine, musical instruments, and a cozy bar area selling snacks and drinks, it’s the perfect place to relax and recharge while ashore.
Chapel
The Rev. Rivers Patout III Chapel is located inside the Houston International Seafarers Center and open during our regular business hours. The Chapel is available for worship and/or reflection and open to people of various faith backgrounds or spiritual beliefs.
Commissary
A commissary store on-site offers essential goods, such as food, toiletries, and personal items, to support the well-being of sailors while they are away from home. Additional souvenirs and specialty items are also available. More information here.
Facilities Rental
Banquet and meeting room facilities are available to various civic groups, companies and individuals for special events. Currently The Port Houston, the Houston Boatman, Port of Houston Credit Union, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and other organizations meet routinely at the Center. Why not call us for your meeting needs.
Center Tours
Tours are provided upon request. We welcome groups from around the nation, local school groups, church groups, civic organizations and individuals wishing to know more about us, our Center, visits aboard ships and how you or your group can participate.
Special Events
Special events are held frequently to help seafarers have a fun, relaxing time while at the Center.