Art & Design
The Magnificent Mission to Seafarers
Posted by Dan Kuseta
29. Jul, 2011
Down the southern end of Flinders Street, past the Bunjil sculpture and across the way from the gleaming skyscrapers of the Docklands lies the Mission to Seafarers, one of Melbourne’s most compelling buildings.
With its distinctive domes the Mission, built in 1917, is considered one of the best examples of Spanish Mission Revival in Melbourne. Established as a safe place for seafarers to rest, relax and enjoy some local hospitality, the Mission still makes daily pick-ups at the port, giving salty sea dogs from around the globe a place to hang their hat.
But you don’t have to be a sailor to enjoy the Mission’s many charms. There’s a nautical-themed chapel complete with sailors in stained glassed windows and a pulpit shaped like a ship’s stern. Then there’s the stunning Norla Dome, a former gymnasium (you can still see the hooks in the ceiling where weights were hung) that now operates as a gallery – they recently had a show by Peter Russell Clarke here. The dome was originally painted in a nod to the cathedrals of Europe, but superstitious sailors were spooked off by images of demons and the painting was removed. Sadly no photos exist of the work and it’s consigned to Melbourne’s invisible history.
Finally, the Mission wouldn’t be a place from R&R without a bar. Constructed in the 1960s from old corks, bottles and glass the bar is a work of art in itself, and still has 1960s prices.
While it’s open every day of the year, you can stop by the Mission to Seafarers on Melbourne Open Day this weekend and experience one of Melbourne’s most interesting, and often overlooked, marvels.
Mission to Seafarers
717 Flinders St, Docklands
www.missiontoseafarers.com.au
Photo & Video
The 10th Whitelion Bail Out Charity Fundraiser
Bail Out's plans to help out Melbourne's disadvantaged youth.
The Fox Darkroom
Snap away with The Fox Darkroom, a mecca for photography aficionados to learn all about the traditional methods of black and white photography.
Uncategorized
National Pet Adoption Day
Milk Bar Mag is thinking about our cute and cuddly friends who adore us unconditionally on National Pet Adoption Day.
Guerrilla Gameshow @ The Grace Darling
The Guerrilla Gameshow is on again, this time with a vintage Halloween theme!
The Black Exhibition
Self-taught artist tohm has dedicated his second exhibition to nothing but the colour black. A dark event indeed.