Sandwich First Baptist Church

Hidden beneath the floorboards of Sandwich First Baptist Church lies a secret. A shallow space, a silent testament to the church’s role in the Underground Railroad. Sandwich First Baptist Church stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. It was built by and for a community of formerly enslaved people who had found freedom in Canada. The congregation first gathered in the early 1840s, meeting in homes before building a log church in 1847. The current brick structure, erected in 1851 on Peter Street, is the only original building from that era still standing in Windsor. The very bricks of Sandwich First Baptist Church whisper stories of freedom. The clay was taken from the banks of the Detroit River, the same river that carried many to freedom. The bricks were then fired in a kiln on the church property. This land was a gift from the Crown, granted after the church founders petitioned Queen Victoria. Sandwich First Baptist Church wasn’t just a place of worship. It was a sanctuary in the truest sense of the word. When slavecatchers were near, freedom seekers would hide beneath the floorboards. The congregation would sing and pray, their joyful noise masking the sounds of desperate hiding. Today, visitors can still peer beneath the floor and see this hidden space, a poignant reminder of the risks taken and the lives saved. The church also actively supported newly arrived refugees, providing both spiritual guidance and practical assistance. Sandwich First Baptist Church’s importance extended beyond its congregation. It served as a vital community hub, hosting meetings and discussions on issues like refugee settlement, combating racism, and the abolitionist movement. Recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada since 1999, Sandwich First Baptist Church stands as a testament to the strength and faith of a community that forged freedom from the ashes of enslavement. It reminds us of the enduring power of hope and the importance of fighting for justice.