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Tuesday, March 18, 2025
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Sandwich First Baptist
Church is the oldest active black church in Canada. A group of
former slaves, led by Henry Brown, John Hubbs and Willis Jackson,
began an informal church group in the 1820’s. In 1840 eleven
fugitive slaves from the ‘Close Communion of Baptists’ organization
formed the congregation. They worshipped outdoors or in the homes
of individual members until a log |
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| Interior
of Sandwich First Baptist Church – Photo Courtesy of Cousin
Kathleen’s Guide Service |
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cabin was constructed
in 1847 under the direction of Rev. Madison Lightfoot. One acre
of land was donated by the |
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for a new brick church on Lot 22 West Peter Street. Fugitive slaves
worked to construct the new church with hand hewn lumber and bricks.
The clay for the bricks was obtained from the riverbank and fired in
a hand-made kiln. In August of 1851 the church was dedicated with Robert
H. Jackson as pastor. |
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The church was a terminal
on the Underground Railroad because it was situated near an ideal
river crossing point. There is evidence that a series of tunnels
and trapdoors helped facilitate safe arrival of fugitives. Individuals
escaping slavery in America could make their way, with the assistance
of members of the congregation, from their |
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cellar of the church.
Following the passage
of the Fugitive Slave Act in America slave catchers would venture into
Canada in attempts to capture fugitive slaves and claim their bounty.
In the event that a slave catcher would arrive in the church a rehearsed
plan would go into effect. It is said that the pastor would raise the
alarm by singing predetermined hymns such as “Nobody Knows the
Trouble I’ve Seen” or “I’ll Fly Away to Glory”.
Fugitives would then escape via a trap door in the church floor while
the congregation created a diversion.
In 1986 Rev. Owen Leslie Burey became the pastor of the church. He
led a campaign to see the church recognized as a valuable historic
site. In 1998 Sandwich First Baptist Church was designated as a National
Heritage Site. On June 14, 2003 a plaque was dedicated at the site
with of Members of Parliament Susan Whelan and Sheila Copps in attendance.
Rev. Burey remained as pastor until his death October 2, 2003. The
site is still an active church with a dedicated membership and visitors
to Sandwich First Baptist can still view the trapdoor in the church
floor. |
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