Council quartet wants $71K to help preserve London’s fugitive slave chapel

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Council quartet wants 71K to help preserve Londons fugitive slave

Four London city councilors are asking city hall for one-time funding to help move a piece of the region’s Black history to a permanent spot at Fanshawe Pioneer Village.

London and Middlesex Historical Museum committed $5,000 and launched a fundraising campaign to move the Fugitive Slave Chapel to Fanshawe Pioneer Village. The move and restoration of the building will cost about $300,000. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)
London and Middlesex Historical Museum committed $5,000 and launched a fundraising campaign to move the Fugitive Slave Chapel to Fanshawe Pioneer Village. The move and restoration of the building will cost about $300,000. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

Four London city councilors are asking city hall for one-time funding to help move a piece of the region’s Black history to a permanent spot at Fanshawe Pioneer Village.

The proposal would see city hall donate $71,000 to move the fugitive slave chapel from its location at 432 Gray St. to the east London destination, where it will undergo extensive restoration work.

“The building is currently in poor condition and continuing to deteriorate without proper care,” the councilors’ motion reads. “In order to prevent further deterioration and allow for stabilization and restoration, it is important the building be relocated before the winter of 2022/2023 arrives.”

The motion, which will be presented to council on Tuesday, is being brought by councilors Mohamed Salih, Shawn Lewis, Elizabeth Peloza and John Fyfe-Millar. More than $85,000 in funding for the chapel’s restoration has been raised through community donations, the motion said.

Dawn Miskelly, left, executive director of Fanshawe Pioneer Village, and Christina Lord, a member of the London Black History Co-ordinating Committee, point to the proposed location of the Fugitive Slave Chapel between the village's log school house and blacksmith shop. A campaign was launched in February to raise $300,000 to move the chapel from its current location on Gray Street to the pioneer village. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)
Dawn Miskelly, left, executive director of Fanshawe Pioneer Village, and Christina Lord, a member of the London Black History Co-ordinating Committee, point to the proposed location of the Fugitive Slave Chapel between the village’s log school house and blacksmith shop. A campaign was launched in February to raise $300,000 to move the chapel from its current location on Gray Street to the pioneer village. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

The one-time funding from city hall, made through its community investment reserve fund, would help project organizers secure an extra $150,000 from the federal government for the restoration work, the politicians said.

The heritage site served as a place of worship for escaped slaves that fled to London on the Underground Railroad. The chapel, which was located on Thames Street, was rescued from the wrecking ball and moved beside its daughter church, Beth Emanuel, in 2014.

City hall has already forked over cash to support the fugitive slave chapel project, contributing $60,000 to move the chapel and pour a concrete slab for its originally intended home at Beth Emanuel.

Coinciding with Black History Month in February, project organizers launched a fundraising campaign with the London Community Foundation to secure $300,000 for the fugitive slave chapel relocation and restoration.

  1. Dawn Miskelly, left, executive director of Fanshawe Pioneer Village, and Christina Lord, a member of the London Black History Co-ordinating Committee, point to the proposed location of the Fugitive Slave Chapel between the village's log school house and blacksmith shop. A campaign launched Tuesday to raise $300,000 to move the chapel from its current location on Gray Street to the pioneer village. (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

    Fundraising drive to move Fugitive Slave Chapel kicks off

  2. The Fugitive Slave Chapel on Gray Street in London, (Derek Ruttan/The London Free Press)

    Should London’s fugitive slave chapel move to Fanshawe Pioneer Village?

  3. Officials with the British Methodist Episcopal Church and the London and Middlesex Heritage Museum are talking about moving the former fugitive slave chapel from its current site on Gray Street to Fanshawe Pioneer Village. Photograph taken on Sunday February 21, 2021. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

    Fanshawe Pioneer Village eyed as new home for fugitive slave chapel

  4. Senior Pastor Dan Morand at the fugitive slave chapel now located on Gray St. HEATHER RIVERS/THE LONDON FREE PRESS

    Fugitive slave chapel back on track, pastor insists

  5. The Fugitive Slave Chapel on Gray Street in London in

    Heritage activists worry ex-slave chapel ‘at risk’

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