Justin Teakle, BES, MCIP, RPP
Community Planner (Heritage), Planning Services
Town of Collingwood
55 Ste. Marie Street, Unit 302
P.O. Box 157
Collingwood, ON L9Y 3Z5
Dear Mr. Teakle,
The Ontario Historical Society (OHS) is pleased to support the Town of Collingwood in their intent to designate 310 Seventh Street as a property of cultural heritage value or interest under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.18.
The OHS, founded in 1888, is a not-for-profit corporation and registered charity. The OHS is a non-government group bringing together people of all ages, all walks of life, and all cultural backgrounds interested in preserving and promoting some aspect of Ontario’s history. The OHS has over 500 member organizations in communities across Ontario.
310 Seventh Street in Collingwood is the historic home of the Heritage Community Church, which is a valued member of the OHS. On behalf of the OHS, over the last 30 years I have had the great privilege and honour to hold many heritage workshops and attend countless community events at this nationally historic church. I can assure you that everyone who walked through the doors of this church were welcomed as brothers and sisters, and all peoples of Canada were always treated equally.
The OHS commends the Town of Collingwood for recognizing the importance that 310 Seventh Street plays in the Black Canadian history of Collingwood, of Simcoe County, and of Ontario as a whole. The site, which has been a continuous place of worship for Black settlers since 1870, was a centre for shared culture, for the community, and for support when its congregation faced racism, discrimination, and alienation from their larger society.
The OHS also congratulates the Town of Collingwood in taking a leadership role in preserving and promoting the history of peoples of colour, and enthusiastically embraces and celebrates the municipality’s intention to designate 310 Seventh Street, Collingwood.
Yours sincerely,
Rob Leverty
Executive Director
Ontario Historical Society
Cc:
Her Honour the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Honourable Michael D. Ford, Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism
Brian Saunderson, MPP Simcoe-Grey
Yvonne Hamlin, Mayor of Collingwood
Kristen Ives, President, The Ontario Historical Society
Beth Hanna, CEO, Ontario Heritage Trust
Natalie Bull, Executive Director, National Heritage Trust
Sylvia Wilson, Trustee Chair, Heritage Community Church, 310 Seventh Street
Carolynn Wilson, Secretary, Heritage Community Church, 310 Seventh Street
Both Wilsons are direct descendants of the original black settlers of the Counties of Simcoe and Grey
Original Document and Attachments:
OHS Letter of Support for Town of Collingwood re. Designation of 310 Seventh Street (Heritage Community Church) (opens 2-page PDF)
