African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oro Medonte, Ontario, Canada, to Be Restored After $121,000 Grant

The Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oro Medonte, Ontario, will be restored and reopened after a major provincial grant and a community crowdfunding campaign, according to a CBC News report from April 2015.

The church was built in the 1840s by families of soldiers who served in an all-black militia during the War of 1812. The report describes it as built by some of Canada’s earliest Black settlers.

A 2013 assessment found that the small church would need about $140,000 in repairs. Without them, it would have to be shuttered and torn down.

The township began an online crowdfunding campaign, which raised nearly $70,000 over eight months. Locals were described as eager to maintain a piece of the country’s history, a commitment that reflects the faith of earlier generations (Psalm 78:4).

The report stated that the township would also receive $121,000 from the Ontario government’s Trillium Foundation. CBC described the combined support as effectively saving the historic church from destruction.

Source: Read the original report