Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey Board of Managers Records

Board of Managers records consist of meeting minutes, agendas, correspondence and materials related to various committees. Minutes document meetings held from 1834-1843 by the Institute’s founding members, meetings of the Committee of the Floating Church of Our Saviour (1843-1874) and minutes from the Board of Managers (1854-1950) of which Franklin D. Roosevelt and J. Pierpont Morgan were members. Of particular note are discussions detailing the initial formation of a mission for seamen in the Port of New York, construction of SCI’s headquarters at 25 South Street beginning in 1911, SCI’s response to the Great Depression, the development of the Merchant Marine School and Women’s Council and SCI’s involvement in the American War effort during both World Wars.

Also included are correspondence and speeches involving Edmund L. Baylies, member of the Board of Managers from 1885-1932 and First Lay President of the Institute from 1913-1932; Clarence G. Michalis, member of the Board of Managers from 1924-1969, President of the Institute from 1932-1957 and Chairman from 1958-1969; and Franklin E. Vilas, President of the Institute from 1958-1969.