With Newport being mostly a place where most residents are connected to the sea by profession and passion, some parishioners of the Trinity Church and locals joined forces to provide services to those who need it. The generosity was initially aimed at servicemen and sea travelers and workers, but through time, they have extended their help to almost everyone who needs it. They were housed in a three-story Georgian revival building in 1929, donated by Maude and Edith Wetmore, in honor of their parents.

The then new home of the Seamen?s Church Institute of Newport was designed by the same architect who did the Wetmores? home, Chateau-sur-Mer. The structure was added in the National Historic Registry, making it also a top tourist attraction.