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Given the fundamental injustices of the time and the denial of opportunities, the Black church was a place of respite and solace. According to Lewis, who chronicled his life story in the book, "Shadow Running", his family were long-standing members of the church. His parents married at Stewart Memorial on July 4, 1900 and Lewis, himself a life-long member, was Secretary of the Sunday school at age 12 and served on the Board of Trustees until his death in November 2003. As he reminisced in his autobiography:

"Stewart Memorial Church was one of the vital cornerstones of our family life. My parents were regular churchgoers and took us to church regularly. I was christened at Stewart Memorial and I recall sitting in the northeast corner pews as a young child. While Stewart's community was predominantly Black, I recall one or two white families who were happily accepted by the congregation."

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Stewart Memorial Church pews.
2003
Stewart Memorial Church, John St. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada


Credits:
Photo by Inessa Petersen.
Courtesy of Stewart Memorial Church