| The
history of the British Methodist Episcopal Church in Niagara Falls, Canada dates
back to 1814. The church was originally a Methodist Mission where members of Niagara
Falls' Black community gathered together to worship. The first meeting of the
Mission's congregation took place on the former battle grounds of Lundy's Lane,
a sign of the communities commitment to their newly adopted homeland. In 1836
the congregation of the Methodist Mission built a small church at the corner of
Portage Road and Murray Hill in Niagara Falls, Canada. Unprotected from the weather,
the church was very damp and cold, and it was also very difficult to reach because
of the steep slope of Murray Hill. This undesirable location remained the site
of the church up until 1856 when Oliver Pernell, donated land to the congregation
on the corner of Peer and Grey Streets. The church building was lifted by volunteers
and rolled on logs from it's location on Murray Hill to it's present location
on Peer St. BME Church, Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel Ê
In 1983, the BME Church of Niagara Falls was renamed the Nathaniel Dett Memorial
Chapel in honour of this Niagara Falls resident who went on to become a popular
musician and composer in the United States. The city of Niagara Falls designated
the church an historical site in 1986. In March 1991, the church opened the Norval
Johnson Heritage Library, which serves the community as a centre for information
on local and international Black history. Ê
The BME Church of Niagara Falls, Canada still serves as a spiritual centre with
Sunday Worship services at 9:30 am. The church is also available to the public
as a wedding chapel. The BME Church of Niagara Falls can be reached at (905) 358-9957
or by fax at (905) 358-8976. |
