Fanshawe Pioneer Village is trying to raise $300,000 to relocate and restore what it calls a “key piece of the London-area’s Black history.
The Chapel Project aims to move the Fugitive Slave Chapel from its current location on Grey Street to the pioneer village and fully refurbish and repurpose it to teach about slavery, the Underground Railroad, and the area’s Black histories. The online fundraiser was launched last week to coincide with Black History month.
“The history and preservation of the Fugitive Slave Chapel, is not only important to London’s Black history, but also to Canadian History,” said Harold Usher, a former city councillor and member of London’s Black community. “Let us never forget that as one of the terminus points on the Underground Railroad, the population of former slaves increased during the nineteenth century and many found this a place of safe gathering and worship. The preservation of this important building at Fanshawe Pioneer Village will ensure it is respected and honoured by those who come after us, and offers education to future generations about the journey of fugitive slaves who found refuge in it.”
The chapel was built in 1848 and is the oldest surviving structure that relates to London’s historic Black community, according to pioneer village officials. The work to preserve is being done with support from the London Black History Coordinating Committee, the Chapel Committee, Congress of Black Women of Canada, Black Lives Matter London, the British Methodist Episcopal Church and the London & Middlesex Heritage Museum which operates Fanshawe Pioneer Village.
“The addition of the chapel building to the village aligns well with our museum’s mission to connect our communities by remembering, sharing and celebrating local histories, and also helps include more voices in the story we share. It is an exciting opportunity, and we are working with our community partners to ensure it is presented authentically,” said village executive director Dawn Miskelly.
To date, more than $50,000 has been raised through The Chapel Project. The village also has future plans to apply for matching fund programs available through the federal government.
To donate to the Chapel Project click here.
