This is Part 2 of a three part series in honour of Black Philanthropy Month. Click here to read Part 1.
BACKGROUND
During our research for this post, we read through many stories of individuals who shaped our community. There are four individuals that we wanted to highlight, demonstrating their collective action, community investment and Black leadership that together exemplify the history of Black Philanthropy in Niagara. In Part 2, we share our first two stories. Come back next week for Part 3.
However, before we do, we felt it was important to acknowledge a central character in each of these stories- The British Methodist Episcopal Churches (BME Church) in both St. Catharines and Niagara Falls.
The BME Churches served as gathering places built by the Black community. They provided refuge and safety to freedom seekers, were places of resistance and solidarity, and provided essential services and provisions to the growing Black community in Niagara. The BME Churches are a pillar of our collective history and need to be acknowledges as the philanthropic leaders that they are.
To find out more about the BME Church in St. Catharines, Salem Chapel, click here.
To find out more about the BME Church in Niagara Falls, Nathaniel Dett Chapel, click here.
REMEMBER
Burr Plato (c. 1833-1905)
At the age of 23, Burr Plato followed the Underground Railroad to find freedom in Fort Erie. Settling in what is now Niagara Falls, Plato arrived with no education and found work as a farmhand and porter while learning how to read and write. He gained stability, bought a horse and started his own business as a “Hackman,” the taxi service of the day. With his success, he acquired land of his own and became a prominent leader in his community.
Plato became known for his civic engagement and in 1887, despite his critics calling him “an illiterate former slave” Pluto was one of the first persons of African descent in Canada to be elected into public office and became a Councilman of the “Village” of Niagara Falls.
In 1890 the Niagara Falls BME church needed to be moved from his original home on Portage Road to Peer Street (where it stands today). It was pushed downhill on top of rolling logs! The money needed to help make this move was donated by Burr Plato. His generosity mobilized the community into action.
Plato held his position of Councilman until 1901 and he died in 1905 at the age of 72.
Oliver Pernell (c.1831- 1906)
Oliver Pernell (some sources spell the name Parnell or Purnell), along with a fellow slave, swam across the Niagara River in 1855 to seek freedom in Canada. He later married Matilda Sutton who had escaped slavery in Kentucky and together they built a life in Drummondville, now Niagara Falls. Oliver worked on farms in the area for 40 years and due to the couple’s success, they became prominent landholders. They were known for their kindness and generosity.
When the Niagara Falls BME Church needed to be moved in 1890, the Pernell's donated the land; the land on which it sits today.
Oliver Pernell died in 1906 but the Pernell Family continued to live on Stanley Ave for another generation. Their home remained in the family until the 1960s.
BLACK PHILANTHROPY
Both Oliver Pernell and Burr Plato demonstrate that philanthropy is so much more than the transfer of wealth or the generosity of gifts. Philanthropy is collective action, generosity of time, and most importantly dedication to your community.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This series was written by a White woman of colonial descent. We recognize and acknowledge the potential for bias and the limitations of sharing Black stories from a White perspective. We gratefully acknowledge Rochelle Bush from Tubman Tours Canada, who generously reviewed these posts to ensure historic accuracy and cultural sensitivities. Thank you Rochelle for your contributions of time and knowledge.
SOURCES
BME Church
inSauga: Lesser Known BME Church in Niagara Falls Moved there on Logs
inSauga- Niagara Falls Church was renamed after Prominent Black Musical Composer
St. Catharines - British Methodist Episcopal Church Salem Chapel
Burr Plato
Niagara Falls Exchange: History Notes Burr Plato
inSauga: Lesser Known BME Church in Niagara Falls Moved there on Logs
Oliver Pernell
Niagara Falls Museum Youtube: Oliver Pernell
inSauga: Lesser Known BME Church in Niagara Falls Moved there on Logs
