UGRR - "The Salem Chapel" British Episcopal Church
N 43° 09.904 W 079° 14.406
17T E 643063 N 4780648
Quick Description: One of the ending locations of the Underground Railroad, with ties to Harriet Tubman.
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 10/10/2006 3:48:20 AM
Waymark Code: WMTRY
Views: 151
Long Description:
Description as found at the following resourse -
"http://www.freedomtrail.org/a_brief_history_about_harriet_tu.htm">Harriet
Tubman - BME Church
St. Catharines was a very important part of the UGRR movement.
It was the chief terminal of Harriet's activities in Canada.
Harriet herself lived in this city from 1851 - 1858. When she
arrived in 1851 with eleven Freedom Seekers, she meet Reverend
Hiram Wilson at the AME Church, which became her place of worship.
For the next seven years, Harriet would continue to bring all
slaves who dared to escape to St. Catharines.
Image of the church
In 1852 the Refugee Slaves' Friends Society was formed in St.
Catharines with Harriet as one of its leading members. Socializing
with very prominent people such as the town's mayor, Harriet would
discuss the advancement ofher people. In doing such, she
immediately became an indispensable asset to the local Black
community. Harriet's good friend, Frederick Douglass paid her a
visit this same year to discuss the living conditions of their
people.
Plaque at the site
When Harriet arrived in St. Catharines, the church was known as
"Bethel Chapel" AME. It was a small log building constructed by
African-American Freedom Seekers. In 1853 it was decided that a
larger church was needed to assist the growing Methodist
congregation that arrived via the UGRR. The larger church was
completed in 1855.
Harriet Tubman
In 1854 Harriet successfully rescued six Freedom Seekers and
brought them to St. Catharines. Three of the six were her brothers
who joined the AME Church. The following year it was decided that
the AME Churches in Canada would change their name to establish
their own distinct identity. At the Canadian General Conference in
1856, some of the AME Churches changed their name to the British
Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church. The British Crown of England
granted the permission for the free Black citizens to use the word
British in their title. The AME Church in St. Catharines became
known as Salem Chapel.
National Historic Plaque
Harriet had become a legend. She had made about 8 dangerous
trips back to the South. Her fame had spread throughout Canada and
the United States. She was known as Moses to her people. Southern
slave holders pooled their money together to offer a reward as high
as $40,000.00. This reward was offered for her capture - dead or
alive! Each fugitive Harriet would help would also have a reward
offered for his or her capture.
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The Blue Quasar