Built in 1848, the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church was a terminus of the Underground Railroad, built by hand to serve Amherstburg’s growing Black community. Many people fleeing slavery and oppressed Blacks first felt true freedom within her walls.
It is named after Bishop Nazery, who led many congregations, including this one, from the American-based AME Church Conference into the new Canadian-based British Methodist Episcopal Church. The denomination flourished until the late 19th century when many dwindling congregations consolidated and reunited with the AME Church.
After crossing the Detroit River to Amherstburg, which is one of the narrowest Detroit River points of entry, these individuals became people in a nation, where they were recognized and respected, some perhaps for the first time, as human beings.
Upon arrival in Amherstburg they found that Nazrey played a significant role in their new lives, offing itself as an interim resting place until permanent housing could be found. The church also served as a school to educate those who had been denied that privilege, and social centre where numerous everyday skills would be taught.
This evocative stone chapel speaks to the faith of the Underground Railroad refugees and to their commitment to build lives as free Canadians. The Nazrey A.M.E. Church is now a treasured National Historic site.
One of the most amazing things about being able to learn about people from the past, is our ability to derive inspiration from their strength and resilience. The Amherstburg Freedom Museum gives us a chance to reinforce these qualities within ourselves through educating the community with stories of Black liberation; those who courageously broke free from slavery, found refuge in the Underground Railroad and their commitment to building a better life in Canada.
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum is located at a previous entrance into Canada for those fleeing captivity. Two historical buildings make up the museum; the Taylor Log Cabin, a home of previous enslaved people, and the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church, a National Historic Site of Canada that comprises the permanent exhibit and Cultural Centre. Obtaining both self-guided and guided tours of both buildings, the museum displays artifacts and exhibits of the story of African Canadians and offers educational programming for schools and other groups. The museum also hosts numerous cultural events with music as an educator, from Ribs & Ragtime to Dance and Golf Classic; Black culture and history are celebrated in all forms.
