Although used now for concerts, exhibitions and plays, the Mission House was built in 1840 as the Spread Eagle tavern, before being converted in 1870 by the St Andrew’s Waterside Church mission. Their purpose was to provide spiritual and moral instruction to the floating community moored off the town. Children of the local poor were also taught here by the renowned General Gordon. The Mission House architect was the respected George Edmund Street and it was built by the daughter of Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort in tribute to her father.
