For the 56thconsecutive year, the Blessing of the Fleet will be held in Mariners’ Church of Detroit on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. We encourage all Ship Masters and military personnel to be in uniform and participate in the Honor Guard.
We also invite everyone to bring Burgees, Colors, Pennants and Pennons for presentation and blessing at the Altar. Please bring a card, with your name and organization clearly typed, to be read as you have your flag blessed. Your flag will be returned to you at the Altar immediately following the end of the service.
There will also be the Presentation of the Captain Lewis Ludington Award to Ship Masters chosen by the Detroit Lodge of the International Ship Masters’ Association.
Mariners' Church established this Award, in 1994, to assist in promoting and perpetuating the heritage of virtues and good works of the ISMA, as ably exemplified by Captain Lewis Ludington (1858-1934).
The awards are provided by Mariners’ Church and will be presented by a member of the Ludington Family, at the model of Captain Ludington’s lumber hooker, Alaska. The model of the Alaskawas presented to Mariners’ Church by Robert T. Hughes (d. 2003), a grandson of Captain Ludington.
Free Parking is in the Ford Auditorium Underground Garage. The entrance to the garage is in the median strip of Jefferson at Woodward Avenue. Directions for parking may be found at visitmariners.org . Please bring your parking ticket with you into the church to receive your parking validation sticker. The most convenient pedestrian exit from the garage is the southeast door leading directly to the entrance on the Tunnel side of the Church.
We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. and invite you to join us anytime for our worship services.
Daylight Savings Time begins March 8, 2020. Please remember to “spring forward” one hour.