British and Foreign Sailors' Society

The BFSS was an interdenominational society supported by the Free Churches. It promoted Christianity among seamen, and provided religious services for those in the port of London. Its stated objective was the "Religious, intellectual and social devotion of British and Foreign Seamen". The Society was formed in 1833 from the amalgamation of groups that grew out of the activities of Methodist preacher George Charles Smith, who started prayer meetings on the Thames in 1814.