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03 14 1995 History Minutes . TEE TOWNSHIP OF OrtO-~æDOrTE HISTORY COMMITTEE fillETING March 14, 1995 'Phe Township of Oro-liedonte Hist'>ry Committee met this evening at the Township of Oro Administration Building in the Board Room: The follo~ing members were present: Loreen (Rice) Lucas Bernice Hickling Henry Neufeld Walter Hutchinson Jadeen Eenderson Earl Robertson Absent Tim Crawford Mary Garbutt Carl Campetelli O-çening - Loreen (Rice) Lucas assumed the Chair and opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. The Minutes of the last regular meeting held on February 14, 1995~ere on motion of Bernice Hickling and Jadeen Henderson adopted as printed and received. l'ilinutes - Business e,rising from the ;"inutes - ~,~eeting of February 14, 1995 None brought forward. Communications. CorresTIondence . Presented a letter from Heather Murray, Associate Professor of English, U. of T, letter forwarded from Trinity College, requesting assistance in identifying groups that existed in the area and locating archivel materials, clippings, Minute Books, and so forth, for the purpose of a book she is writing on literary clugs in the nineteenth century in Ontario. It was left than Loreen (Rice) Lucas reply. Presented letter from Ken Sitter, Froject Co-Ordinator, Huronia Tourist Association (HTA) advising of the compiling a list of Historic attractions, sites, plaques anà monuments in Simcoe County for the possible inclusion in the HTA publication, such as the Vacation Planner and Guiàe Map for Huronia. Enclosed a list of such sites, plaques, etc. in Oro-~edonte. (total of 6) Letter requests that a list of additional such sites, etc. be forwarded. Secretary advised of three such sites or plaques. Following discussion it was moved by Walter Hutchinson and seconded by Earl Robertson that a letter forw3rding a list of addit- ional sites, etc. as discussed be sent to Huronia Tourist Association and that Loreen (Rice) Lucas respond to letter from Trinity College. Anà that the correspondence and res.onse ~e fil~d fn~ reference. Old and Unfinished Business (a) Jadeen Henderson reported that Tim Crawford, Walter Hutchinson and herself had attended the meeting scheduled by the Tourist Association on behalf of the History CoIT~ittee as well as Councillor Neil Craig. She summarized in detail what had taken place. From the summation it would appear that the meeting was negative and rather than assisting the Township th a means of omoting the Affican Church for historic value, the HT~ appeared to india te they wanted assume promation of . - 2 - Old Business (cont'd) the African Church as a Tourist attraction, open daily in the su~~er 4IÞ and having a Student remain on the site. The members of the Committee were not in favour of this suggestion, It was also felt that Councillor Neil Craig was not in agreement with the suggestion by HTA. It also ap~esred th~t members of ETA disagreed with some dates regærding the history of the African Church. The reSDration, upkeep and maintenaae of the building was apparently not referred to in a positive way. New Business Loreen (Rice) Lucas brought forward the progress on the Project with Video promotion of the past history. Video of changing of the times for easier Dresentation to Schools (method to make it more interesting for the younger generation) Also some specialty short Videos on varions aspects of pioneer life. The present Slides will be put into Video. Present Videos CBC on Tweedmuir History 1mrion Keith African Church by Brian Baker and Bernice Hickling Old Equirment and Mchinery - Allan Byers Trilium Çable Video Farm Machinery end Equirment -Richards Antique Equhment Show During the discussion of same the matter of storage for Videos was brought forward and left for further consideration. 4IÞ The Secretary reported that name tags for the members of the History ~oIT~ittee had been ordered. The Deputy Clerk to advise when available. The members of tœ CoŒmittee wish to congratulate the Chairman, Tim Crawford on the ap~ointment to the Simcoe County Board of Education for Ward 4, at the Board meeting on March l3, 1995. There being no further business at hand it was moved by Earl Robertson that the meeting adjourn at 9:l0 p.m. to meet again on Monday, April lO, 1995. at 7:30 p.m. Henry Neufeld, Secretary. Loreen (Rice) Lucas Chair person for the meeting. 4IÞ -lID\. HURONIA TOURISM ASSOCIATION 8 Simcoe County Building \1idhurst. Ontario LOL IXO Telephone Lines Barrie Area: * 726-9300 Orillia Area: * 3:.!6- 7 397 \1idland - Penetanguishene: * 526-2261 Collingwood-Wasaga Beach: * 428-3143 8uronia South: * 729-2:.!95 * Ask/or Ext. 220 Fax: 1705) 726-3991 Minutes of general meeting on the African Episcopal Church At the request of the Huronia Tourism Association, representatives of HTA, the Oro-Medonte Historical Committee, Oro-Medonte Township Council, the Orillia Historical Society and several other interested parties met to discuss the African Episcopal Church in Oro-Mec1onte. Ken Sitter opened the meeting commenting on the historic significance of the church, noting its maintenance by the Oro-Medonte Historical Committee and Oro-Medonte Township. He expressed concern about its limited use -- a memorial service every five years -- and its future given the limited public awareness. Tim Crawford assured the gathering that the church was not in danger of disappearing through lack of care or maintenance. Members of the historical committee have for years devoted time and effort to church and will continue to do so, he said. The committee has considered other possibilities, such as an annual church service, for the church but has been busy involved in other activities. Last year's service was well attended with publicity limited to unpaid notices to the media, and notification to local churches and black groups in Collingwood and Toronto. Several times Mr. Crawford reiterated the committee's willingness to discuss ideas on sharing the church and helping others appreciate its historic significance. It was noted that a story by Marion Keith could be tape recorded and that Brian Baker had a recording of last year's service, both of which could be played for presentation to visitors. Julian Huffer suggested that summer employment programs be investigated to determine if a student might be hired to open the church for four or five days a week this sum mer. Neil Craig said he doubted the interest in the church was high enough to warrant opening four or five days a week, but liked the idea of including the church on a historical tour, both to increase awareness and build interest. Jadeen Henderson said that local people who had an appreciation and a thorough knowledge of the church would be the best guides. Ms. Henderson said Walter Hutchinson and she had for years opened the church to people who asked, and that Mr. Crawford and she had extensive experience making history presentations to Oro-Medonte schools. Several times, Ms. Henderson and Gary French commended Mr. Hutchinson for his role in preserving the church. David Bohme lead a round of applause for Mr. Hutchinson. Mr. French suggested that the issue of church ownership be clarified. He said that church and cemetery owners or trustees cannot lose title to the property, and could create problems in the future. He said to Oro-Medonte's credit, the church has been maintained and protected, which may be considered a bargaining chip. But while there may be a moral claim, he said, there is no legal claim. After further discussion about the value and ownership interest in the church, Mr. Crawford volunteered to check into the ownership and Mr. Sitter said he would contact the BME church in Toronto to determine if they had an interest in the property. A general discussion on the age the church ensued with a suggestion by Mr. French that the church may qualify as a national historic site, which would help increase awareness and attract attention. Mr. Sitter said he would look into that possibility. Mr. French said that the situation from his perspective was that HT A is interested in elevating interest in the church as a tourist attraction, which was generally good but increased the risk of it being harmed; while Oro-Medonte has a propriety interest, which had lead the township to preserve the church but created reluctance to letting others get too involved. A further point of possible conflict in today's age of political correctness is a black heritage site run by whites, said Mr. French. The meeting drew to a close without setting a date to meet again. 8 8 8 Draft 1 8 An Outline of the Involvement of Local Citizens In the restoration and preservation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Comer Line 3 and 10-11 Side Road, Oro Oro-Medonte Township, Simcoe County 1947 Prof. Hume wrote a poem about the church and had it published in the local newspapers. People, including Loreen Rice, and school teacher W. R. Best, expressed concern to the township council--Mrs. Rice was especially persuasive. The church had long been abandoned and was open to the weather. Without prompt action, moisture would have made the building unsalvageable. The grounds and cemetery were overgrown with weeds, trees and brambles. 1949 A fund of an unknown amount was provided by the Oro Township Council for basic materials, and after many hours of work by volunteers restoration and refurbishing was completed. Plaque erected. 8 1956 Additional renovations were made, funded by Council. The Oro Council had formed a History Committee composed of local citizens with an interest in preseIVing history (over the years the committee has published 2 major books and a number of booklets). The history committee took on the task of looking after the church. It makes recommendations about the church to the Council, as well as documents the history of the church. In recent years the Parks and Recreation Department of Oro, (more recently Oro-Medonte) Township maintains the grounds, keeping the grass cut, dead limbs cut from the trees, etc. 1965 Correspondence with Simcoe County Tourist and Industrial Committee regarding making it an historic site. Request from that committee that "group or groups from Negro Churches in Toronto share supervision and maintenance". Letters written to Toronto about this. No resolution. 1971 More correspondence regarding making. it an historic site. 1977 Four church properties (including this one) declared "abandoned" by council and were taken over by Oro Township By-law 999. Township took over the "maintenance, management, regulation, and control" of these properties under Section 62 Cemeteries Act,RSO 1970, Chapter 57. 1979 The Oro Township Council co-operatéd with Simcoe County Council in building a stone cairn on the site, and provided a share of the funding. 1980 Roof re-inforced and new cedar shingles were added. Council funded materials, $2600. 8 1981 The church was vandalized by 3 people in 2 stolen trucks, taking turns running the trucks into the walls. Oro Council establishes a fund of $2452 to have the church repaired. $550 in public donations received, $350 from Black History Society, Toronto. 1983 Stone cairn deteriorates. Council arranges for it to be repaired. Cost unknown. 1984 A provincial plaque placed on Old Ridge Road, referencing the church. Township improve grounds, and installs picnic bench. 8 1987 While doing maintenance, it was discovered the floor boards were decaying due to moister. Oro Council put up $800 for materials, and the labour was supplied by Walter Hutchinson, Wally Keys and the late Howard Campbell. 1987 Henry Neufeld, Township Clerk, attempts to make arrangements to have the deed transferred to Oro Township to make the title absolutely clear. Ontario Black History Society were to make contact with African Methodist Episcopal Church, (a number of letters and phone calls) in an attempt to have that Church congregation to declare no further interest, so that the Oro church's title be absolutely clear. Clear title was necessary to make it an Ontario Historic Site. (Henry remembers that the remaining members of the Toronto Church were going to make such a declaration but members died out before the declarations were made.) Note is made in the correspondence about the technicality in the deed and the registration: deed says "Episcopal Methodist" whereas last registration was to "Coloured African Episcopal Methodist Church of Canada". Anniversary Services--1949, 1956, 1979, 1985. 1988. and 1994. Since 1956 the services were arranged by the Oro History Committee, a committee appointed by the Oro Township Council. The church is dusted, minor repairs are made, and the windows cleaned on an annual basis, by the History Committee or by the Clowes Women's Institute to which an honorarium of between $20 to $50 is sent. The Township Council undeIWrites any additional costs of anniversary services. In recent years a feature of the anniversary service has been the choral group from Collingwood. Some of the last blacks in Oro, moved to Collingwood. A few of their descendants are in the choir. The minister at the June 1994 service was Rev. Wilfred Sheffield. A short memorial service was also held at the stone cairn near the church in memory of those are buried in the unmarked graves on the church property. 8 Sample Material From file: a) Speech by Dr. Dan Hill praising the saving of the church, Sept 13, 1964 b) Letter from Oro Clerk Neufeld to Dr. Hill requesting help in clearing title with Toronto Church c) Letter from Ont. Black History Society to Oro Township Oerk Neufeld supporting the repair of the church after vandalism. d) Motion of Council regarding the repair of church after vandalism e) Speech by Dr. Dan Hill at anniversary service, June 1988 d:\wpdocs\afrcdeed twc 199:5 04 10 8 Informal Meeting Re: African Episcopel Church 8 Attending: Jadeen Henderson Oro-Medonte Historical Committee R. R. ~l, Oro Station Phone 487-3251 Walter Hutchinson Oro-Medonte Historical Committee R. R. ~l, Oro Station Phone 487-3370 Tim Crawford Oro-Medonte Historical Rl, CIO17 Ora, Ontario LOL 2EO Phone 487-2574 Committee Margaret Cole Hillsdale, Ontario Phone 905-870-1200 8 David Bohme President, Orillia 70 Wookland Drive R. R. ~l Orillia, Ontario L3V 6Hl Historical Society Neil Craig Councillor, Township of Oro-Medonte R. R. ~1 Barrie, Ontario L4M 4Y8 Phone 726-1334 G. E. French Box 544 Elmvale, Ontario Phone 322-3000 Julian Huffer President, Huronia Tourism Simcoe County Building Midhurst, Ontario LOL lXO Phone 726-9300, Ext. 220 Association 8 Ken Sitter Huronia Tourism Association Simcoe County Building Midhurst, Ontario LOL lXO Phone 726-9300, Ext. 220 8 8 8