Oro: The History of the Black Community

Oro is a destination for travelers interested in the history of Black communities and their legacy in the region. At its heart is the Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church: built between 1846 and 1849, it is designated a National Historic Site and is one of the oldest surviving African wooden churches in North America. It may be the oldest. However, the history of the area extends beyond the building and can be traced through several historic sites.

The Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church

The church represents the significant role Black militiamen played in defending Upper Canada during the War of 1812. Two distinct periods in time come together at this site: the memory of the war and the church building, constructed between 1846 and 1849. Its designation as a National Historic Site also gives the church a clear connection to the history of the country. For a trip focused on cultural history, it offers a concrete starting point for exploring the history of Black people in Oro and the region.

Community and settlement history

In Oro, former members of the loyalist militia from the War of 1812 founded the only Black community supported by the government. Another historical detail concerns the wider area: a government order established a settlement of Black people along Oro-Medonte Line 1 in 1819. These details point to different aspects of history—the founding of a community in Oro and the establishment of a settlement along Oro-Medonte Line 1.

Land grants are also part of this regional context. Between 1819 and 1826, the British government granted 25 parcels of land in Oro County to Black settlers, including eleven former soldiers. This time span emphasizes something different from the church’s construction history: it draws attention to early settlement and land grants. Together with the founding of the community and the later-built church, these provide several historical themes that you can distinguish and connect as you explore Oro.

An early Oro Fair

Another dated event is the first Oro Fair, held in 1853. It took place at Rix’s Tavern, on the northwest corner of Lot 15, Concession 1, Oro, on Penetanguishene Road. The specific location and year set this detail apart from the longer-term themes of settlement history and church construction: this is about a single early event. The year 1853 refers to this first fair, not to the other historical events.

If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Oro for your trip, you can connect the place name with the cultural history topic that interests you most: the church, the history of the Black community, or early settlement history. This makes Oro a specific destination to search for when these themes are a deciding factor in your trip.

More local pages: Port Severn, Stayner, Midland, Orillia, Wymbolwood Beach, Duntroon, Waubaushene and Alliston.

Back to the main travel overview: Simcoe County.