In this vicinity, there were three Black churches as early as 1832 going into the 1850s. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1832, was the 2nd Black church in Toronto. The African Chapel at 40 Hospital Street. (now Richmond Street) was an interdenominational church built in 1832, and The Coloured Wesleyan Methodist Church that was established 1838.
The Coloured Wesleyan Church was on the North side of Richmond Street between York and Bay Streets. It was founded in 1838 by Black Toronto residents, Wilson Ruffin Abbott, Thomas Buckner, and George Wilkinson. The church served the Black community until 1891. Wilson Abbott was the father of Anderson Ruffin Abbott, the first Canadian-born Black doctor mentioned earlier.
Worship and education
These churches provided spaces for worship and education through Sunday schools, the delivery of sermons and public lectures, they were spaces to socialize, they also assisted incoming freedom seekers, and they worked together to organize against social issues such as American Slavery and the racism they faced in the city. There were many other Black churches established in Toronto, and Black residents also attended white churches.
Wilson Ruffin Abbott moved to Toronto in 1835 after being forced to leave his home and successful business in Alabama due to increasing racist restrictions. Upon arrival in Toronto, Abbott set up businesses and became a large property owner.
He was a member of the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada and ran unsuccessfully for Alderman for St. Patrick’s Ward in Toronto City Council. He was also a member of the Reform Central Committee. In 1840, his wife Ellen Toyer Abbot organized the Queen Victoria Benevolent Society to help poor Black women. She was known for her work for the British Methodist Episcopal Church in the Ward. Abbott is buried in the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery.
Establishment on York Street
Also in this vicinity, Mrs. Mary O. Augusta, the wife of Dr. Alexander Augusta operated a ‘New Fancy Dry Goods and Dress Making Establishment’ on York Street, near the corner of Adelaide amongst the community of prominent Black property owners in Toronto. She sold the latest fashions imported from London and Paris. In 1854/1855, Mrs. Augusta moved her boutique to a larger property on Yonge St. near her husband’s pharmacy.
A Black man named James Mink owned a hotel at this corner and operated a livery stable on Adelaide. We will learn more about him later.
Abbott set up a tobacco shop on University Avenue, on the site now occupied by the Canada Life Building [330 University Ave. at Queen St] The business failed. Undaunted, Abbott tried real estate, and in time went on to be one of Toronto's wealthiest men. By 1871 Abbott is reported to have owned 42 houses, 5 unoccupied plots of land across southwestern ON, and 2 warehouses. In addition to amassing great personal wealth, Abbott was very active in the Black community.