Happy Heritage Thursday #HamOnt. This week we're shining a light on the Stewart Memorial Church in the Beasley neighbourhood, Hamilton’s oldest surviving Black congregation dating back to the 1830s. Let's dig into the history. - ThreadSky

ward2hamilton.bsky.social • 1 day ago

Happy Heritage Thursday #HamOnt. This week we're shining a light on the Stewart Memorial Church in the Beasley neighbourhood, Hamilton’s oldest surviving Black congregation dating back to the 1830s. Let's dig into the history.

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ward2hamilton.bsky.social•1 day ago

Hamilton's Black community was growing in the 1820s and 30s, many looking for a better life in Canada, some fleeing the ongoing impacts of slavery in the United States and Canada, others coming here for work or to join family and community members living near Hamilton.

ward2hamilton.bsky.social•1 day ago

Two distinct geographic communities emerged, one near Concession and Upper Wentworth Streets and the other around St. Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal Church on Cathcart Street in Ward 2, which was originally a log structure.

ward2hamilton.bsky.social•1 day ago

What we know today as Stewart Memorial Church was first built in 1848 and was a clapboard structure (long, thin boards used to cover the walls and roof). The congregation of St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church moved to John Street after a fire in 1879.

ward2hamilton.bsky.social•1 day ago

In 1905 the neo-Gothic facade we see today replaced the original clapboard structure. The church struggled but saw the depressions years through thanks in part to Reverend John C. Holland. In 1937, it was renamed in honour of Reverend Claude A. Stewart.

ward2hamilton.bsky.social•1 day ago

The congregation is still going strong today. Thanks to everyone at Stewart Memorial Church for inviting us into their church, sharing their stories and history, and continuing this important legacy in Hamilton's Black community.

ward2hamilton.bsky.social•1 day ago

There's a great photo and stories archive put together by the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre at https://www.communitystories.ca/v1/pm_v2.php?id=story_line_index&fl=0&lg=English&ex=00000636&pos=1. Check it out for many more details about the church and congregation's history.

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