By Herman Silochan

“On my Underground Railroad I nebberrun my train off de track and I nebber los’ a passenger” -- Harriet Tubman.

While most students of Black History in Canada and the United States are fully aware of the great events of emancipation of the Civil War era, there is little emphasis on the role of free settlers who had already made their way north to Upper Canada, in now what is southern Ontario. I have been looking at these modern communities, descendants who still reside here, and importantly, their greatest repository, that is, the surviving churches.

To visit these hallowed buildings, is more than a step back in time; you are reminded that their history is still alive.

Last Sunday at the Salem Chapel on Geneva Street in St. Catherine’s, I shared in communion with the congregation, and then immersed myself in the images on the wall of the basement museum. Naturally, the predominant figure here is Harriet Tubman who lived here from 1851 to 1858. Touching the old pulpit/lectern from which she spoke was the high point. The descendants of those freedom seekers today care for these hallowed objects. Absolutely solid family information, mixed with friendship that you too are part of all this.

I was using as my guide a just published book by Rosemary Sadlier, the current president of the Ontario Black History Society. Sadlier is a friend of this newspaper and we in turn support her in her devotion to the cause of keeping this history alive. Titled Harriet Tubman: Freedom Seeker, Freedom Leader, this book is a good and recommended read despite the horrors of the subject. Sadlier has direct lineage to those who used the Underground Railroad. It shows in her passion for the subject and all the ancillary events leading up to emancipation after the U.S. Civil War. This publication is now available at all fine book stores.

The British Methodist Episcopal Church, Salem Chapel, to give it its formal name, is now on the register of Historical Places in Canada. It is definitely worth a Sunday drive with your children, to join in the service and have tea downstairs while browsing through all those moving mementoes.

Today’s congregation is smaller given the demographics of our modern population, and quite a few come from other countries; the presiding minister, the Rev Daniel David Rupwate is actually from Mumbai and his daughter plays the old piano during services. Certainly one of the most enthusiastic members is the Deacon, Mr. Holmes Smith who came from Antigua 42 years ago and has been a continuous supporter since. He’ll give you the warmest handshake you’ll ever receive. Then there’s Ada and Rochelle, walking and talking history books. Next week, I’ll be at another church.