St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
BME Church
National Historic Site
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012
1. BME Church Marker
The Salem Chapel, British Methodist Episcopal Church was the first Black church in St. Catharines. Originally known as the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the name was changed to reflect their loyalty to the British Empire. In 1793, the "Upper Canada Act Against Slavery" was passed, allowing Blacks aged 25 years and older freedom from slavery in Canada. This created a safe haven for African American runaway slaves and made Canada the destination for many who fled. As a result, hundreds of escaped slaves settled in St. Catharines and created a vibrant Black community.
The original church was a small log building that held about 70 members and was built on the land behind today's church. The freedom seekers who settled in St. Catharines constructed this church, dedicated in 1855, to replace the smaller one. Some of the original pews that they built are still in use on the balcony level. The BME Salem Chapel is also significant for its ties to Harriet Tubman, nicknamed "Black Moses". This brave freedom fighter was instrumental in freeing hundreds of slaves using the Underground Railroad system. Harriet Tubman called St. Catharines and the BME Church home for almost a decade. In 2000, this church became the first National Historic Site in St. Catharines.
[Sidebar]:
1855
The
this page online
Erected by Ontario and the City of St. Catharines.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 43° 9.908′ N, 79° 14.406′ W. Marker was in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It was at the intersection of Geneva Street and North Street, on the right when traveling north on Geneva Street. This historic marker is located on the northeast side of the intersection, near the front southwest corner of the church. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 92 Geneva Street, St Catharines ON L2R 4N2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. It was also in Central Canada. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 location: The British Methodist Episcopal Church circa 1855 (here, next to this marker); Salem Chapel BME Church - Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historic Site (here, next to this marker); Harriet Tubman (c. 1822-1913)
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012
2. BME Church Marker
View of the BME Church with a distant view of the historical marker situated at the foremost front corner of the church.
Also see . . .
1. British Methodist Episcopal Church. This is a link to information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. British Methodist Episcopal Church, Salem Chapel. This is a link to information provided by The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines' website. (Submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
3. Salem Chapel BME Church Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad NHS Canada. This is a link to information provided by The Salem Chapel, BME Church's website. (Submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
4. Harriet Tubman. This is a link to information provided by Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (Submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
5. Harriet Tubman timeline. This is a link to information provided by The Circle Association. (Submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012
3. BME Church Marker
View, looking north along Geneva Street, of the historical marker in the foreground, with a view of the southern set of front steps, near the historical marker, that go to the front entrance of the church.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 11, 2012
4. BME Church
View of a marker affixed to the front wall of the church that indicates that this church is part of the St. Catharines Heritage Corridor.
Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 10, 2025
5. This photo demonstrates that THIS marker is permanently replaced by 281272.
compare to photo #2.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,033 times since then and 34 times this year. Last updated on November 28, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 17, 2013, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 5. submitted on August 10, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
