2005 – 2009
At the Seamen’s Bethel, we are grateful for the steady hands and generous hearts that have helped carry our mission through the centuries. One such leader is Joseph S. Finnerty, who served as President of the Seamen’s Bethel from 2005 to 2009, guiding our church through years of growth, care, and continued connection to our maritime roots.
Joe’s service to the Seamen’s Bethel was part of a much broader legacy of civic leadership. A former teacher and coach in Fairhaven, he was also a founding board member of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and spent over three decades as Executive Director of the New Bedford Housing Authority. Throughout each chapter of his career, Joe brought compassion, clarity, and a deep commitment to serving others-values that aligned beautifully with the spirit of our historic sanctuary.
During the time of his presidency, Joe helped strengthen the New Bedford Port Society’s role as a place of welcome, remembrance, and reverence for seafarers past and present. His leadership helped not only our physical space, but the heart of our mission.
We thank Joe Finnerty for his years of dedication and his ongoing role in the story of the Seamen’s Bethel.