St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church

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Venue Type & Location

Church

Site Name: St. Paul's Church
Location: Hamilton
County: Wentworth
Location Type: Town - in town at determined location

Overview

 St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church
114 John Street North, Hamilton 

Currently known as Stewart Memorial Church

Founded c. 1835 as St. Paul's AME Church, Stewart Memorial Church represents the longest surviving predominantly Black congregation within the City of Hamilton. First housed in a log structure on Rebecca Street, just east of John Street North, the congregation acquired its present building in 1879. This modest clapboard church, erected in 1848, was remodelled c. 1905 with a Gothic Revival brick exterior.

One of the most prominent figures in the history of Stewart Memorial Church was the Reverend John C. Holland, who played an instrumental role in keeping the church open when the congregation was faced with financial difficulties during the Depression years. The decision in 1937 to sever ties with the African Methodist Episcopal body resulted in the formation of a non-denominational church, renamed in commemoration of the previous minister, Reverend Claude A. Stewart. 

The history of Stewart Memorial Church attests to the importance of the church as both a religious and social centre for Hamilton's community of African descent, beginning with the establishment of the earliest churches following the first influx of fugitive slaves into the Hamilton area in the 1820's.

Text of Ontario Heritage Plaque at 114 John Street North, Hamilton

 

"Stewart Memorial Church." Historical Perceptions. Robin McKee. www.hamiltonhistory.ca/stewart.html

Current Status

Hours From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sundays only. All other times by appointment. Stewart Memorial Church is a wheelchair accessible heritage site. The exterior architecture features a neo-Gothic façade overlying the original clapboard structure. The interior is designated historical for its original pressed tin ceiling and dark wooden curved pews. A heritage corner is set up where photographs, pastors' roster and religious artifacts may be viewed. On the exterior west-facing wall, there is a bronze plaque designating the site of the first Canadian Masonic Lodge of Prince Hall Masons. It also illuminates the connection between the Prince Hall Masonic Order and the Underground Railroad. The Sunday service is held at 11 a.m. during the winter months and at 10:30 a.m. in the summer. The service features the regular singing of the plantation spirituals as they were passed down from the original members of the congregation who came to Hamilton along the Underground Railroad. The first pastor of the church – then known as St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church – was the Rev. Josiah Henson. "Stewart Memorial Church." Slavery to Freedom. Ontario Heritage Trust. www.heritagetrust.on.ca/Slavery-to-Freedom/Partners/Stewart-Memorial-Church.aspx

Performer/Company at St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church

Performer/Company Patron Type # of events
Ladies Know Ye Not Sewing Club (Hamilton 14-15) (-) Supper/Festival 2

Events at St. Paul's African Methodist Episcopal Church

Event Date Venue Location Troupe
Rehearsal 1914-1914 Hamilton, Wentworth Ladies Know Ye Not Sewing Club (Hamilton 14-15)
Rehearsal 1915-1915 Hamilton, Wentworth Ladies Know Ye Not Sewing Club (Hamilton 14-15)