Mariners’ Church of Detroit will host its 58th annual “Blessing of the Fleet” service at 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. This time-honored tradition has served thousands of sailors throughout the years to launch a safe and successful seafaring season.
Metro Detroiters, Michiganders, and boaters from all over the Midwest are invited to bring their burgees, colors, pennants and pennons to Mariners’ Church for a special seafarers’ blessing. This year's service will also be livestreamed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/kUWa7gZ20mA, making it more accessible to professional and recreational boaters from across the region.
“We’re always excited to celebrate the new boating season and to wish all of our seamen and women safe passage, calm waters and enjoyable journeys,” said Fr. Jeffrey Hubbard, Pastor of Mariners’ Church. “The last few years have been challenging but Mariners’ has been a ‘house of prayer for all people,’ for 180 years and has weathered its share of challenges.
“We hope to have a large audience of in-person and on-line participants join the service, enjoy our incredible professional choir, and receive the blessing for themselves, their boats, crews, passengers and the boating season ahead.”
The Blessing of the Fleet includes the presentation of the Captain Lewis Ludington Award that commemorates the ongoing work of the International Ship Master’s Association. This year’s award winner is Captain Roger G. Hewlett, who has been a member of the International Ship Masters’ Association since 1990. His lodge memberships include Twin Ports Lodge #12, Sault Ste. Marie Lodge #22, and presently Port Huron Lodge #2. He praises his old friend and mentor, the late, Captain Morgan Howell for encouragement in pursuing licensed positions and introducing him to the ISMA.
Additionally, Captain Kathleen A. McGraw from Detroit Lodge No. 7 and Mariners’ Church, will solemnly read the names of 61 Great Lakes sailors who died in 2021, with the Shipmasters tolling the Octorara Bell in their honor. The Octorara bell came from a ship of the same name, an Iroquois word meaning “long remembered.” It’s the largest bell ever cast of bronze for a Great Lakes ship, and now it serves a singular role: to honor fallen seamen.
Mariners’ Church of Detroit, a state and national historic landmark and the oldest structure on the Detroit riverfront,
was founded in 1842 as a place of worship for visiting seamen from around the world and for all believers in the gospel. Today, Mariners’ Church continues its tradition as a “house of prayer for all people” and welcomes all those who are interested in attending the service.
Mariners’ Church of Detroit is located at 170 E. Jefferson Avenue at the entrance to the Windsor Tunnel. Free parking is available at the Ford Auditorium Garage.
About Mariners' Church of Detroit
Mariners’ Church of Detroit is a House of Prayer for all People. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest structure on the Detroit riverfront. Its colorful history is intertwined with the history of Detroit. Mariners' Church invites you to come along and live a life of meaning, purpose and charity through the inspiration of God’s forgiveness and love. Keep informed on church services, and opportunities to join in-person, please follow Mariners' on Facebook (facebook.com/marinerschurchofdetroit), Instagram (@marinerschurchofdetroit), and YouTube (youtube.com/marinerschurchofdetroit) or visit marinerschurchofdetroit.org. For directions and parking info, go to visitmariners.org.
