Downtown in St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The British Methodist Episcopal Church circa 1855
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012
1. The British Methodist Episcopal Church circa 1855 - Marker
Designated 1980
St. Catharines Heritage
The British Methodist Episcopal Church
circa 1855
only surviving Black Community church in St. Catharines
Erected 1980 by St. Catharines Heritage.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 43° 9.907′ 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 the right when traveling north 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: Salem Chapel BME Church - Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Site (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
this page online
Regarding The British Methodist Episcopal Church circa 1855. 1. 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
2. From a nearby marker: Salem Chapel, built in 1855, was an important centre of 19th-century abolitionist and civil rights activity in Canada. Harriet Tubman, the famous Underground Railroad "conductor", lived near here from 1851 to 1858 and is traditionally associated with Salem Chapel. Many of those aided to freedom became church members and put down roots in the local community. The auditory-hall design typifies the style associated with the Underground Railroad-related churches in Ontario.
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 10, 2025
2. The British Methodist Episcopal Church
The marker is on the front face of the church, on the right (close to the camera).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 12 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.
