Religion

Friday, September 13, 2024

And you will know the truth,
and the truth will make you free. [John 8:32].

Steadfast faith in such quotations from the bible helped carry individuals through the hardships of slavery and on their dangerous trek to freedom. When refugees made their way across the border to Windsor they brought with them their deep devotion and religious beliefs.

In the 1830’s black residents were either not allowed to worship with white residents or were not permitted the same privileges white Christians enjoyed within the white

Window on façade of Mt. Zion Full Gospel Church – photo courtesy of the City of Windsor, department of heritage planning

churches in Canada. For example a church might accept black members but not allow them to sit with white members and would not permit black pastors. Also, although many white churches in Canada were opposed to slavery many of their associated churches in the American south either directly or indirectly supported the practice of slavery.

Therefore, the new settlers set out to form their own churches. Both Methodist and Baptist faiths were particularly popular with fugitive slaves as they were simply required to repent and accept Christ as their personal savior as a precursor to membership. In the first half of the 19th century the following five founding churches of the African Canadian community were established to help provide religious solace:

British Methodist Episcopal Church

First Baptist Church

Mount Zion Full Gospel Church

Sandwich First Baptist Church

Tanner African Methodist Episcopal Church

Other Churches - Windsor and Essex County

Agape Fellowship
98 Willowbeach
Amherstburg, ON

Bethlehem Fellowship
470 Texas Rd.
Amherstburg, ON

Central Grove A.M.E. Church
4005 Walker Rd.
Windsor, ON

Church of God of Prophecy
834 Lawrence
Windsor, ON

Community Chapel C.O.G.I.C.
197 Murray St.
Amherstburg, ON

Dayspring Church of Windsor
130 Giles Blvd. E.
Windsor, ON

Dougall & Hanna Church of God
1604 Dougall Ave.
Windsor, ON

First Baptist Church
232 George St.
Amherstburg, ON

Full Gospel Open Door Assembly
2425 Clemenceau Rd.
Windsor, ON

Harrison Memorial C.O.G.I.C.
810 Mercer St.
Windsor, ON

Life Gate Fellowship Assembly
Services at Christ Church Lutheran
1140 Lauzon Rd,
Windsor, ON

Mount Beulah Church
246 King St.
Amherstburg, ON

Philippine International Baptist Church
1543 Aubin Rd.
Windsor, ON

Price Memorial A.M.E. Church
1636 Tecumseh Rd. W.
Windsor, ON

Puce Baptist Church
RR 3,
Essex, ON

Rays of Light Ministries, Worship Centre
973 Pillette Rd.
Windsor, ON

Redeemed Christian Church of God
1767 Northway Ave.
Windsor, ON

St. Mark’s Evangelical Church
P.O. Box 127
Harrow, ON

St. Samuel C.O.G.I.C.
3109 Riberdy Rd.
Windsor, ON

Shreve Ministries International
380 Hale
Stoney Point, ON

Upper Room Pentecostal Tabernacle
1479 Albert Rd.
Windsor, ON

The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada.