The Journey to Freedom

Through crowdfunding and fundraising efforts, the Township raised over $75,000 to date in addition to numerous in-kind donations received. The campaign garnered national and international attention. Stories of the church are being shared through social media while many family connections have been made. The historical and cultural significance of the church has reached thousands and is something we all can relate to in this day and age.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed and supported this campaign!

The crowdfunding option is now closed. The Township will continue to fundraise with all proceeds going towards a reserve fund for the ongoing preservation and maintenance of the church and the cemetery. Donations may be made as follows:

Mail cheques payable to Township of Oro-Medonte, 148 Line 7 S, Oro-Medonte, Ontario L0L 2E0

For credit card payments call, [phone redacted] .

Regular progress updates on the project will be provided on the Township’s fundraising Facebook page, www.facebook.com/oroafricanchurch. The Township is also seeking artifacts belonging to the Oro African Church and those wishing to donate may contact the Township at [phone redacted].

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Fundraising Campaign Update - Thursday, April 2, 2015
MEDIA RELEASE

Ontario Trillium Foundation Awards Grant Funding for Restoration of Oro African Church

Oro-Medonte, ON – The Township of Oro-Medonte and the Vaughan African Canadian Association (VACA) have formed a partnership to bring awareness and restore the Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church.  In October 2014, a collaborative funding application was submitted to the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation recently announced that VACA, as the lead organization on this collaborative was awarded $121,200 for the Church. The funding will provide $94,200 towards the Church restoration challenge and $27,000 to develop and distribute a children’s picture book about the church and support an interactive historical school program facilitated by VACA. 

The project has garnered national and international attention and aligned thousands with the story of this humble rural structure.  In addition, the Township has raised over $72,000 and has received numerous donations in kind through its fundraising campaign. The Ontario Trillium Foundation is now another partner joining the Township or Oro-Medonte, the County of Simcoe and thousands across the Country in providing much needed funding to restore the National Historic Site and anchor is story in our Heritage. 

With funding now in place, the Township will be working with its heritage consultants in the next few weeks to undertake a more comprehensive assessment of the Church. Following this process, the Township will be able to refine the project scope, costs and determine how best to undertake the restoration. 

The Township’s Journey to Freedom fundraising campaign will remain live and continue to fundraise with all proceeds going towards a reserve fund for the ongoing preservation and maintenance of the church and the cemetery. Regular progress updates on the project will be provided on the Township’s fundraising Facebook page, www.facebook.com/oroafricanchurch.

The Township is also seeking artifacts belonging to the Oro African Church and those wishing to donate may contact the Township at [phone redacted].

 The Vaughan African Canadian Association is a not for profit organization serving the Vaughan community since its inception in 2003.  The organization's mandate is to provide innovative programs and services for the African-Caribbean community in the city of Vaughan. Their main focus is providing programs for families and youth. VACA’s strategic vision is built around the need for effective service delivery through providing awareness, opportunities, leadership development, economic opportunities, organizational development and capacity building with a target date to accomplish this vision by 2015. 
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The Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oro-Medonte, located at the corner of Line 3 North and Old Barrie Road, is a monumental depiction of freedom and equality in North America.  With many countries exposed to radicalisms associated with culture, race, creed and colour, we are fortunate to live in a country that protects our religious and cultural freedoms without discrimination. The Church is a true testament of the sacrifices made by those who served to defend our rights and freedoms which are now carried out in the Canadian Constitution - a truly remarkable story of the journey to freedom.   Unfortunately, due to the current state of the Church, it has been closed to the public and its survival as a National Historical Site is now at risk.  The Township of Oro-Medonte is committed to advancing the restoration of the Church, however, a significant funding shortfall of $140,000 exists to complete the project.  As such, the Township has launched The Journey to Freedom fundraising campaign . 

Help us save this National gem and important part of our Canadian heritage!

Please note: donations made on gofundme will not receive a tax receipt.  If you  would like to donate directly to the Township, please visit  the Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church, The Journey to Freedom fundraising campaign page at  http://www.oro-medonte.ca/Pages/Oro-African-Methodist-Episcopal-Church-and-Fundraising-Campaign.aspx for more information.

Personal information contained on this form is collected pursuant to The Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and will be used for the purpose of maintaining donor information.  Questions about this collection should be directed to the Freedom of Information Officer, Township of Oro-Medonte, 148 Line 7 South, Oro-Medonte, Ontario L0L 2E0