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Historic Underground Railroad Church Builder Honored

By WKBW Admin
August 26, 2011 Updated Aug 26, 2011 at 11:01 PM EDT

Buffalo, NY (WKBW) A new New York State Heritage Trail plaque was unveiled to the public today, honoring Reverend Samuel H. Davis, builder and pastor of the historic Michigan Street Baptist Church. Davis became minister of the church in 1845, the same year he laid the building's cornerstone. Two of Davis's great-great grandson's were on hand to witness the ceremony. For Lyle L. Kersey the feeling of standing in the church his ancestor built was hard to put into words.
"It's just so indescribable...it's like being home!", Kersey exclaimed.
The Michigan Street Baptist Church was the last stop of the Underground Railroad in Buffalo for slaves trying to reach freedom in Canada. A small, hidden area in the basement where slaves would hide can still be viewed to this day. This unveiling is the latest effort by the Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition to preserve the church and the history it holds.
"This building stands as not only part of Buffalo's history, not only New York's history but our country's history.", said Judge Robert Russell, President of the Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition.

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