Grant to help save Fugitive Slave Chapel to be considered by city council

After 174 years in London, the Fugitive Slave Chapel is gradually falling victim to neglect.

After 174 years in London, the Fugitive Slave Chapel is gradually falling victim to neglect.

With time running out, four city councillors are making a political push to award a $71,000 municipal grant towards a $300,000 community-driven plan that will relocate the wooden chapel to Fanshawe Pioneer Village for restoration.

Stuck in a renovation limbo for eight years, concern is growing about the deteriorating condition of the Fugitive Slave Chapel

“There’s a great deal of urgency and community concern for the building,” explains Dawn Miskelly, executive director of Fanshawe Pioneer Village. “We don’t want to see it degrade further or risk vandalism.”

Councillor John Fyfe-Millar has co-signed at letter with Councillors Lewis, Peloza, and Salih that will be considered by their colleagues at a council meeting on April 12.

In the letter they write: “We are asking council to make a one-time commitment from our own Community Investment Reserve Fund to assist with the relocation of the Fugitive Slave Chapel from its current site (in SOHO) to Fanshawe Pioneer Village.”