The push is on to preserve a local church associated with the famous abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman.
During the time of the Underground Railroad, many freedom seekers made stops in St. Catharines.
A church called Bethel Chapel - what we now call the Salem Chapel - became a place of refuge and comfort and is acknowledged by the City as a place where Tubman worshiped.
According to a Go Fund Me campaign, the church has been designated as a National Historic Site but remains privately owned.
The campaign says with less than 12 members still actively worshipping there, the church gets by on donations and tourism dollars, but serious repair work is needed.
Some of those repairs include installing cable wire or earthquake straps with turnbuckles in the attic and underneath the sanctuary floor to secure the 162 year old log frame, replacing the deteriorating front door awning, and a few weather damaged window sills.
Right now the funding goal is $100,000 - as of this morning almost $2,500 has been donated.
Campaign organizers hope to have the funds together by next Fall.