Historic Black Church in Canada at Risk of Losing Protection

One of Canada’s oldest Black churches is facing a challenging future as the owner seeks to remove the heritage designation from the building, which has stood for 150 years.

Since 1983, the British Methodist Episcopal Church at 430 Grey St. in London, Ont., has held full heritage designation. Constructed between 1868 and 1871, this yellow brick church has been a significant place for worship and gathering within London’s Black community, including many who escaped slavery via the Underground Railroad.

The church was originally named the African Methodist Church, which began in 1856 at a location on Thames Street before moving to its current site on Grey Street in what is now London’s So Ho neighborhood.

The yellow brick church features this stained glass window above the entryway. (Andrew Lupton/)

Designed in Gothic Revival style, the church showcases stained glass windows along its sides and a prominent spade-shaped stained glass window above the entrance that displays the church’s name.

“There are a lot of heritage buildings in London and many of them are very near and dear to my heart,” said Benjamin Vazquez, president of the London branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. “But this is possibly the most important one with ties to London’s Black Community.”

WATCH | Pastor plans to fight for historic church:

Historic Black church pushes back against request to remove heritage designation

The owner of Beth-Emmanuel Church at 430 Grey Street in London, Ont., is asking for removal of its heritage status. Philip Omondi, pastor of House of Destiny Church, which leases space in the building, urges city council to reject this request.

“It’s one of the few churches in London associated with the Black community that’s still standing,” he said. “It has direct ties to the Underground Railroad and it’s a neighborhood landmark.”

The brick structure actually replaced an earlier building used by this congregation. The original church known as slave chapel was located nearby before it was moved to Fanshawe Pioneer Village in 2022.

This yellow brick building has hosted various congregations over time and is currently owned by British Methodist Episcopal Church based out of Toronto.

Heritage advocates say the church, which was founded in 1856, is a key site for Black history in the region. (Andrew Lupton/)

The application seeking to revoke the bylaw protecting this historic church was submitted on April 9. We reached out to representatives from British Methodist Episcopal Church regarding their application but did not receive any comments by Monday.

Demolition could be a real threat

If city council decides to approve revoking its heritage status, Vazquez noted that owners could then apply for a demolition permit.

The church property is also listed for sale on Realtor. ca at $1.2 million; this price includes both where it’s located and an adjacent vacant lot.

“Together these lots present a rare chance to create much-needed rental units and maximize value in a growing market,” reads part of their ad.

Owners of the church have applied to have its heritage protection repealed. (Andrew Lupton/)

Pastor Philip Omondi along with his congregation plans to contest this repeal application.

“We’re literally praying it won’t happen,” he told. “We’re also going to fight it.”

Omondi leads House of Destiny Church which started renting here last fall; his congregation consists mainly of about seventy members primarily from African backgrounds living in London.

“There are many families within our group who have children,” he stated. “There’s plenty room for growth.”

This application caught pastor ‘off guard’

An unexpected twist came when Omondi discovered he had been negotiating with owners about purchasing it so they could continue operating as both worship place plus community hub offering after-school programs along with daycare services; he planned fundraising efforts amounting up towards $250 thousand just recently aimed at updating kitchen facilities among other enhancements too!

This news about repeal caught him completely off guard last week when Carl Cadogan-chairperson over there at London’s Black Heritage Council-alerted him!

“I felt blindsided,” expressed Omondi! “We risk losing something truly valuable-not just within our local black community but also across Canada! After all-we’re talking about one among oldest black churches nationwide!”

The So Ho neighborhood continues seeing rapid growth lately-with new multi-story residential buildings either built or underway nearby streets as well former site where Victoria Hospital once stood too!

A local resident believes keeping such historical sites around will help reflect area’s past while newer developments arise instead covering up what’s already existed previously.”

Mondy mentioned members from congregation intend actively petitioning city hall opposing removal attempt regarding designated heritage status!”

“We’re fighting against [the repeal motion],” added him firmly stating “Such historical places mustn’t be lost!”

A deadline exists until May ninth permitting individuals file objections notice submission during thirty-day timeframe provided beforehand!

This ownership request aiming towards removing current protected designation set into discussions scheduled upcoming meeting dated June eighteenth under city’s Community Advisory Committee Planning agenda followed later next month estimated July fourteenth headed toward finalizing decisions making process through full council meetings afterward so far!”(CBC)

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