Chapel of the Sea

They that go down to The Sea in ships, and occupy their business in great waters; These men see the works of The Lord and His wonders in the deep. For He maketh the storms to cease so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they are at rest, and so he bringeth them unto their desired heaven.

Nestled in the heart of Seamen’s Church Institute is the Chapel of the Sea. This hidden treasure has recently been named by Mercury Magazine as one of the “seven quiet places to gather your thoughts and nourish your soul” in Newport and it certainly lives up to that lovely description.

Designed and painted by Durr Freedley, a well-respected artist living in Newport in the early 1900’s, the chapel is a visual homage to Christian saints associated with the sea. Freedley was best known for his work with portraits and was commissioned by Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster in memory of her mother, Marie Caroline Helene Jeanne Carolline de Keridern de Trobriand Post, to create the mural which seamlessly weaves together the stories of saints long called upon by mariners in need of strength and support. Freedley was recognized and celebrated most recently with an exhibit at the Newport Art Museum titled, Reviving Durr Freedley -Newport’s Forgotten Artist. We are grateful here at Seamen’s Church Institute that his work can live on in our memorial chapel.

Not only is the Chapel of the Sea a beautiful place for solitude and reflection, but it is also a welcoming space for couples who wish to come together in matrimony. Seamen’s Church Institute is pleased to provide an intimate setting for small wedding ceremonies in the memorial chapel. With its warm colors and cozy seating, the Chapel of the Sea is perfect for early morning prayer or lunch-break meditation. It is truly a refuge in this bustling City by the Sea for mariners, tourists and locals alike.

To reserve the Chapel of the Sea for your intimate Newport wedding, call Tara at 401.847.4260 or email tara@seamensnewport.org.