Stewart Memorial Church

[1] Abolitionist Josiah Henson, who inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, was the church's first pastor.

[1] One of the most prominent figures in the history of Stewart Memorial Church was the Reverend John Christie Holland.

Holland played a major role in keeping the church open when the congregation was faced with financial difficulties during the Great Depression.

[2][3] Since its establishment, the church has served a central role in Hamilton's Black community, providing various social, cultural and religious programming.

[6] Around this time, the congregation was observed as entirely elderly as few young native-born Black Hamiltonians chose to remain in the city - citing racism and a lack of opportunities.