Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel British Methodist Episcopal Church

5674 Peer Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2G 1X1 [map]
Telephone: 905-358-9957
Email: bmechurch@bellnet.ca

Directions

From the Queen Elizabeth Way, take Exit 420 to Stanley Avenue. Turn right onto Stanley Avenue. Turn right onto Ferry Street. Turn left onto Main Street for one block and then turn left onto Peer Street. The Norval Johnson Heritage Centre is located at the corner of Peer Street and Grey Avenue.

Hours

Hours vary. During the winter, visit by appointment only. In the summer months (May through September), visit from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or by appointment.

Description

The British Methodist Episcopal Church was established in 1814. The Norval Johnson Heritage Library, established in 1991, is an information resource centre for students, researchers and the community, providing a focal point for local/Niagara Region Black Canadian history materials and genealogical research.

Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel, a designated National Historic Site on the Underground Railroad, is located on property donated by freedom seeker Oliver Pernell in the old Drummondville area of Niagara Falls. Together, these comprise the Norval Johnson Heritage Centre, one of the most important stops on the Niagara Freedom Trail Tour.

Volunteers contribute their time to operate the library and provide information and guiding services for the chapel and local aspects of the Underground Railroad. Offsite presentations are regularly delivered for school, community, social and church groups.

The Centre contains a 1,400-volume reference library that also provides access to the Next Generation genealogy program. There is a gift shop and the chapel is wheelchair accessible.