Welcome to the Houston Seafarers Centers

Donations | Links | Contact Us

There are two seafarers center is Houston, the contact information is listed below. On this page you will find information about what services and amenities the centers have available. The center include a convience store, restaurant grill, big-screen satellite TV in multiple languages and a DVD, and Play Station 2 are available at Howard T. Tellespan Center. A convenience store and cable TV are available at the Lou Lawler Center. Click here for the centers official website.

HOWARD T. TELLEPSEN SEAFARERS’ CENTER
LOCATED ON THE UPPER LEVEL OF WHARF 23 - Map
Physical Address: 9250 High Level Road; Houston, TX 77029
Mail: P.O. Box 9506; Houston, Texas 77261-9506
PHONE: (713) 672-0511 FAX: (713) 672-2444

LOU LAWLER SEAFARERS’ CENTER
1700 E. Barbours Cut Blvd. - Map
P.O. Box 1434 ; La Porte, Texas 77571-1434
PHONE: (281) 470-8332 FAX: (281) 470-0263

Services & History

Ship Visitation - Seven Port Chaplains visit the ships each day. They offer spiritual or practical guidance, and several of our chaplains speak other languages. Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and other faiths are all welcome.

Worship Services - Each night at the Seafarers’ Center a worship service is offered. In addition, Worship, religious services and spiritual guidance are offered on board ships.

Bible Program - Bibles in over 40 languages are provided free of charge. It is one of the largest bible programs in the world.

Chaplain Training School - Houston Maritime Chaplaincy Training Program is an international annual training school for Maritime Ministry Chaplains and Managers.

History - In 1963, a Belgian sea captain who immigrated to the U.S. had a dream of a place for seamen to go in the Port of Houston. He had sailed to this port many times and had found that it had not received the name of “Worst port in the world” for seamen without reason. He dreamed of a great seamen center and sold this dream to several others involved in shipping in one way or another. The result was the formation of the Houston International Seaman Center Inc. Click here for more on the history.

Recreation

Sports Programs – Billiards, ping pong, basketball, volleyball, soccer, air hockey, table games, exercise equipment and swimming are offered at the Howard T. Tellespan Center. Billards, table hockey, and air hockey are offered at Lou Lawler Center. A special SPORTS WEEK competition is provided for the Seafarers twice a year. The end of the tournament is highlighted with special trophies, plaques and ribbons.

Additional Services


Internet Café – High-speed internet connections are available at both of our Seafarers’ Centers.	Phone Cards – Phone cards, as well as SIM Cards and Refill Cards, are available for purchase in the convenience store at each of the Centers.	Mobile Phones – Mobile phones are available to be taken onboard vessels that request them.	Christmas Box Program - Christmas boxes are provided free of charge to Seafarers. Many useful items are donated by churches, school children and individuals. Click here for more info.	Transportation - Vans and mini-buses are provided for free. For pick up call the Howard T. Tellespan Center at 713.672.0511, or the Lou Lawler Center at 281.470.8332. Link to docks served.