Downtown in St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Salem Chapel BME Church - Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Site
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 10, 2025
1. Salem Chapel BME Church - Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Site - Marker
The BME Church marks a terminus on the Underground Railroad and was home to its most famous conductor, Harriet Tubman. This national historic site was built in 1855.
St. Catharines was a terminus on the Underground Railroad for hundreds of enslaved Black people escaping to freedom in Canada. The Underground Railroad was a network of people who assisted and guided freedom seekers as they fled the United States.
This national historic site, through its association with the famed Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman, was an important place of abolitionist activity. Tubman was called the "Black Moses" and remained in St. Catharines for 10 years and attended church at this site. St. Catharines was a centre of local abolitionist activities and local citizens formed societies to assist formerly enslaved people in adjusting to their new life of freedom.
St. Catharines' Lakeside Park has been the site of an annual picnic on the 1st of August when thousands of African Americans and Canadians gathered for the Big Picnic to mark Emancipation Day - the day in 1834 that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 came into effect across the British Empire.
Erected by City of St. Catharines.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR
this page online
Location. 43° 9.905′ N, 79° 14.407′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Geneva Street and North Street on Geneva Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 92 Geneva Street, St Catharines ON L2R 4N2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The British Methodist Episcopal Church circa 1855 (here, next to this marker); Harriet Tubman (c. 1822-1913) (a few steps from this marker); Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church (a few steps from this marker); Harriet Ross Tubman c. 1820-1913 (a few steps from this marker); Harriet Tubman (a few steps from this marker); Wood-Graham-Bacher Home (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Tribute To Women - October 17, 2000 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); St. Catharines - The "Modern" Automobile City (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.
Other markers no longer nearby. BME Church (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); St. Catharines
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 10, 2025
2. Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church
Still a functioning church. Services Sunday at 11 AM.
Regarding Salem Chapel BME Church - Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Site. This is an active church, with Sunday services. Info to arrange a tour in advance can be found at the church's website - https://salemchapelbmechurch.ca
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
