I was driving near the Detroit River area by the University today for work reasons.
Along the way I came across a windmill.
Not the new ones you see everywhere, but the good old-fashioned kind.
Like they have in the Netherlands.
"all we are is all we were"
When getting ready to leave my client, I mentioned this.
He told me a bit of the history of it.
It is a replica of a windmill that was used to grind flour during the war of 1812.
He also mentioned about a Baptist church nearby where the slaves would
come from Detroit as part of the Underground Railroad.
That totally peaked my interest.
I've lived here for 20 years and never heard about this church.
I stopped in this lovely chilly rainy weather snapping shots
of various historic plaques and places with my cell phone.
This house is called the Duff-Baby House. Named after Alexander Duff and James Baby, the first two loyalist owners. For more information you can go here.
I drove around hoping to get a glimpse of other pieces of history.
I just love the architecture of old churches.
There's always a cemetery with the old churches. If the weather wasn't so bad I would have gone for a walk through to see how old the stones were.
Don't you just love the windows?!
They just don't build churches like this anymore.
Now I wanted to find the Baptist church.
I turned right at the back of this church and on the street I saw it.
I saw the sign for the African-Canadian Heritage Tour and sure enough,
there it was on the right hand side.
I found this old church just up the street.
There's always a cemetery with the old churches. If the weather wasn't so bad I would have gone for a walk through to see how old the stones were.
They just don't build churches like this anymore.
Now I wanted to find the Baptist church.
I turned right at the back of this church and on the street I saw it.
I saw the sign for the African-Canadian Heritage Tour and sure enough,
there it was on the right hand side.
The Sandwich First Baptist Church.
I felt like I was standing on holy ground.
You can read a brief history of the church here.
I will be planning a tour there one day for sure.
When I got home, I immediately started searching the internet for information.
The church was a terminal on the Underground Railroad because it was situated near an ideal river crossing point. There is evidence that a series of tunnels and trapdoors helped facilitate safe arrival of fugitives. Individuals escaping slavery in America could make their way, with the assistance of members of the congregation, from their riverfront landing to travel by lantern light through secret tunnels and emerge in the cellar of the church. Read more here.
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They called this church "The Hiding Place"
Where have we heard that title before?
Where have we heard that title before?
It's hard for me to imagine the cruelties and horrors they had to endure to enjoy freedom.
In the midst of the horrors God had His people strategically placed to change their lives and the course of history. A famous name related to aiding
in the hiding and protecting of black slaves in Harriet Tubman.
You can read a brief biography of her and others who sacrificed to help others here.
In the midst of the horrors God had His people strategically placed to change their lives and the course of history. A famous name related to aiding
in the hiding and protecting of black slaves in Harriet Tubman.
You can read a brief biography of her and others who sacrificed to help others here.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised...Luke 4:18
I think about the many people during WW2 that helped protect the Jews.
Many sacrificed their lives.
Corrie Ten Boom was well known for hiding Jews.
They had a secret room in their home and a book about her story was written
and called, "The Hiding Place".
Maybe there is someone who needs you to be their "hiding place".
I know.
They need to hide in God.
A lot of lives would have been lost if the courageous men and women over the centuries and years, never made those selfless acts to help those in need.
We all have people around us who need help.
And yes you do have what it takes to help, if you have Jesus.
I came across this newspaper clipping in my searches.
This is from the town of Chatham which is 45 minutes up the highway from Windsor.
Makes my heart smile.
I hope you enjoyed this tour.
I wasn't expecting to see any of this today.
It's funny how our days turn out sometimes.
God always has a reason for putting things across our path.
Blessings to You!
Linking up with:
Diane ~ loved this tour as I know exactly where you were. Tee hee as I was brought up in Windsor. What I didn't know was that the windmill existed. Tell me where it is! I would love to see it. Brings back many memories of my mother who was from Holland. Loved this post.
ReplyDeleteHi there! It's on the corner of Mill St and Russell St. That big house is on the left as you are driving down Mill toward Russell. If you just drive around you'll see some older homes. If you drive down Sandwich St and turn left on Mill you'll see it all. Kinda cool!
DeleteHave a great week!!
I love your post with great photos. Thanks for telling over this history.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this piece of history! The buildings are beautiful but the message even more beautiful. Thank you for linking this up to the Art of Home-Making Mondays!
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