First Baptist Church celebrates legacy through history

First Baptist Church marked its 200^th anniversary on Sunday, July 5^th, 2026, with a celebration that honoured faith, history, and the enduring strength of Toronto’s Black community.

The outdoor service, held at the church’s current location at 101 Huron Street, welcomed more than 200 attendees, including visitors from across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, the United States, and the local community. The parking lot was transformed into a gathering space featuring a stage, seating areas, tents, an altar, and a sound booth. Nearby, guests gathered around the life-size statue of Harriet Tubman, which served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing importance of preserving Black history.

Led by current pastor Rev. Dr. Wendell Gibbs, the anniversary service featured musical performances, reflections from historians and community leaders, and messages from invited guests, including representatives from the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS), City Councillor Dianne Saxe, sculptor Wesley Wofford, and historian Toney Cohen, founder of #FreedomWalk2026.

The celebration continued with a community barbecue, where members and guests shared food, conversation, and fellowship.

Music played an important role throughout the event. Lynette McKenzie delivered a moving steel pan performance of “How Great Thou Art,” inspiring attendees to dance and celebrate the rhythm and energy of the performance. Bro. Oweme Adeyemi also entertained guests with an expressive saxophone solo.

Councillor Davan Sach brought greetings on behalf of the City of Toronto, while Rev. Dr. Gibbs reflected on the anniversary theme, “Past, Present and Future.” Using the powerful words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech as a backdrop, Gibbs encouraged attendees to recognize the lessons of history while imagining a more hopeful future shaped by creativity, faith, and collective action.

Representatives from the Ontario Black History Society, including David Peart, Manager of Operations, and Cali Braithwaite, President of the organization, spoke about the importance of preserving authentic Canadian Black history. They highlighted the need for families and communities to document their own stories through initiatives such as “History Starts at Home,” encouraging people to archive their personal journeys for future generations.

Sculptor Wesley Wofford spoke about the responsibility and privilege of creating the Harriet Tubman statue. He shared that his work was shaped by extensive collaboration with Tubman’s descendants to ensure an authentic representation of her legacy. Wofford explained that public art has the power to create dialogue, inspire reflection, and connect communities with history.

Growing up in Stone Mountain, Georgia, Wofford described how deeply connected he felt to the themes of justice and equality expressed in Dr. King’s famous speech. He emphasized that many important stories remain underrepresented in public spaces and that art can serve as a pathway to education, understanding, and reconciliation.

Evangeline Cain Grant, described as the first Black lawyer from North Preston, Nova Scotia, spoke about the importance of #FreedomWalk2026 and the need to continue researching and sharing the stories of African Canadians whose contributions have often been overlooked. She also highlighted the work of “Coming to the Table,” an organization focused on conversations around racial healing and reconciliation.

Giovanni, a descendant of individuals connected to the history of enslavement, spoke about the importance of forgiveness, understanding, and rebuilding relationships. Former OBHS president Dr. Rosemary Sadlier described the anniversary as a “Symbolic moment of reconciliation.”

The 200^th anniversary celebration of First Baptist Church was a reflection of faith, resilience, and the responsibility to carry history forward. Through music, storytelling, art, and community connection, the celebration honoured the church’s legacy while inspiring future generations.