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Overview

This early San Francisco church had been founded in 12/1858, and its construction probably dated c. 1860. A note in the San Francisco City Directory, 1863, (p. 504), indicated: "The house of worship is a commodious wooden building, on Clark Street, near Drumm. It was erected some years since [foundation in 1858] by contributions from merchants and other citizens of San Francisco." Reverend J. Rowell was the founding Pastor of the Mariners' Church and had been the Chaplain of the American Seaman's Friend Society since 08/1858. Deacons in 1863 included Obed Chart, James F. Stewart, and Henry Chester.

Building History

Activities within the business community of San Francisco to improve the moral standards of seamen began in 1860. The San Francisco City Directory, 1863, (p. 504) stated: "During the year 1860 a society was formed among the business men of San Francisco, having for its object the moral improvement of seamen, called the San Francisco Port Society. It seeks to attain its object by sustaining the preaching of the Gospel, and other missionary labors, in connection with the Mariners' Church." it is possible that the formation of the San Francisco Port Society also spurred the construction of the Mariners' Church at the same time. Members of this society included: Ira P. Rankin, President; R.B. Swain, Vice President; J. Rowell, Secretary; A.C. Nichols, Treasurer; Dr. H.P. Coon, Captain J.B. Thomas, A.C. Nichols, Nathaniel Gray, J.F. Pope, Cyrus Palmer, Louis McLane, J. Rowell, and James F. Stewart, Trustees.

Building Notes

Clark Street did not exist in 2016. William S. Clark arrived in San Francisco in 1846, and claimed land at the Yerba Buena Cove's north point. Here, he erected the city's first wharf. According to the Virtual Museum of San Francisco: "Shore land having later been filled in, the wharf site is now at about the intersection of Broadway and Battery streets. In the early days when the alcalde [Mexican territorial mayor] would grant only one lot to a settler, Clark acquired many lots by transfer from others. He died a wealthy property holder." (See Virtual Museum of San Francisco, "San Francisco Streets Named for Pioneers," accessed 11/16/2016.) From this information, it is possible that Clark Street may have been at the approximate location of Broadway.

PCAD id: 20736