Fugitive Slave Chapel nearly set to move to Fanshawe Pioneer Village
A plan to move London’s 175-year-old Fugitive Slave chapel to Fanshawe Pioneer Village (FPV) is expected to proceed within two months.
“We’re hoping to relocate the building before the snow flies,” said Dawn Miskelly, the executive director of Fanshawe Pioneer Village. “Early to mid-November is kind of our target date for that to happen."
On Thursday, Miskelly joined those behind the campaign as they received a $50,000 donation from Ironstone Building Company.
“We hope our contribution will help motivate many others in the community to step up and help reach the fundraising goal of $300, 000,” company President, David Stimac told the crowd.
The Fugitive Slave Chapel was built in 1847 on Thames Street. Before 1865 it served as a terminus on the Underground Railroad, which saw enslaved Black people in the United States flee to freedom in Canada.
Later converted to a residence, it remained on Thames Street until 2014.
Spared from demolition, a campaign saw it moved to a lot next to Beth Emmanuel Church on Grey Street but fundraising faltered.
But now, nearly all the pieces needed to move the chapel again are in place.
Christina Lord is a current board member of Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Sept. 28, 2022. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)As a result, the same movers who brought the structure to Grey Street have begun work on a plan to move the chapel to the FPV.
“Hopefully, now it will find its forever home in a place it will be settled and loved and cared for, said Christina Lord, a current board member of FPV.
Lord is also a member of the London Black History Coordinating Committee and sits on the Fugitive Slave Chapel Committee.
It's her goal to ensure young people recognize the history behind the chapel walls.
“I almost feel as though you stood close to it, you could feel the energy that was there,” she tells CTV News.
During the cheque presentation, former London city councillor Harold Usher explained what that energy means to the region.
“This project is part of Canada’s history. It’s part of London’s history and it is a part of Black history,” he said.
And with the fundraising campaign nearly at its goal, it appears that finally, that is a certainty for the chapel.
“We have enough to fully restore the building. Once it is moved we’re starting right away with the restoration,” Miskelly confirmed.
She said the plan is to restore the structure to its 1850’s appearance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.