GLOUCESTER Docks’ own little church, Mariners’ Chapel, gets a new minister from June 1st. He is the Revd Douglas Drane. Though taking charge from that date his official induction and welcome service is to be Wednesday evening, 7.30pm, 13th June.
Mr Drane is no stranger to Mariners' Chapel. For over twelve years he has been the honorary chaplain for the River Severn and Gloucester Canal for the British and International Sailors' Society, and in that capacity has been a frequent visitor and preacher at the Chapel, often for Sea Sundays.
For over 6 months now Mariners' Chapel has been without a chaplain and Mr Dram has been acting unofficially, giving pastoral support and conducting services regularly.
"We've got to know Douglas so well over the years, it seemed so natural to ask him to be our Chaplain said church officer Mr Richard Turner.
"He's got to know some of our foibles, and we his, and we've had time to appreciate his form of ministry which promises to be challenging."
Mariners' Chapel is a unique place of worship, founded almost 160 years ago for the sea-going sailords, and the huge population which were employed on the river and canal craft together with the dockers and factory workers and their families which lived close by. Mariners' was not only a place of worship but also a social link and cultural centre for the Docklands.
Mariners’ Hall, at the junction of Southgate Street and Llanthony Road, which is presently a night shelter for homeless people, was the base for Sunday School work and other young people’s activity. Mariners’ work among the then Dockside slums with women, children and many other deprived people of those days was well known and supported charitably from all around the City of Gloucester.
“Times have certainly changed things,” said the new Chaplain. “In some ways we have lost some objectivity. The Docks, in some ways may look the same, but there have been huge changes. Most of the commerce and industry is different, new being related to pleasure and tourism. Our residential community is certainly different with most of the slums gone but quality flats and apartments being created in the old warehouse buildings. This is creating a new form of community. Mariners’ Chapel is certainly trying its best to be a welcoming community church warmly welcoming our new residents, providing them and our many visitors with ‘fresh expressions’ of the good news.”
“We believe that Jesus Christ is as relevant to today’s situations as He was for Gloucester Docks 160 years ago,” said Mr Drane. “Mariners’ congregation and myself, together with any who would like to join us, are determined to take up the challenge and make the old Chapel meaningful in the Docklands and surrounding area.”
“We welcome everyone who would like to come to my public Recognition Service,” said the new Chaplain, Douglas Drane.