The Henry Cook Centre - Home of Waterside Bethel
The hall in South Street, Gosport is still used as a Church at the weekends but during the week it is handed over to community groups.
In 2025, the Trustees arranged for chairs and tables to have a place to go after sessions. Double doors were put into the small room which means they can be hidden out of sight during their Sunday church meetings. Previously, there were double doors put into the main entrance way so that, there is plenty of room to bring in mobility scooters, especially useful during inclement weather. A fully disabled toilet and a separate toilet, are there in case you are caught short! We have also seen new cupboards put around the hall for community group use and a designated 'tea making' area.
A nice ramp at the front of the building (funds for this were provided by the Gosport Voluntary Centre Lottery Fund) in 2024.
Who Was Henry Cook?
This modern building in the town centre is the successor to the old Bethel Mission Chapel. The building opened in February 1869 on South Street, founded as part of the Portsmouth and Gosport Seamen's Mission by Henry Cook (b. 1824), hence the name Henry Cook Centre.
Henry Cook started a school named 'Cook's Ragged School' for boys and girls in 1858 in the High Street. These children being 'ragged' looking had poor clothing, some without shoes and being the poorest in the town at that time.
More information about Henry Cook is on the following page ....
Where is The Henry Cook Centre?
Where is The Henry Cook Centre - Home of Waterside Bethel? It is located near Bemisters Lane and the George & Dragon Pub in Gosport and alongside Gosport Shopping Precinct where T&Js Chinese Restaurant is situated.
Free parking is at the rear in Coates Road, PO12 1BL. Use South Cross Street (where the old Police Station is), 1st turning right into Coates Road, PO12 1BL to The Henry Cooks' FREE car park.
The Henry Cook Centre, South Street, Gosport PO12 1ES