At various times in the early 19th century, the number of seamen in Bedford Village ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 -- nearly equaling the population of the village. The Seamen's Bethel was constructed for the many whalers who called New Bedford home. It was tradition to stop in the chapel and pray for a safe journey before heading out to sea. This church was immortalized as 'Whaleman's Chapel' by Herman Melville in the classic novel "Moby-Dick".
Seamen's Bethel
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