One of the Canada's oldest Black churches faces an uncertain future with the owner applying to repeal the 150-year-old building's heritage designation.

Since 1983 the British Methodist Episcopal Church at 430 Grey St. in London, Ont., has had full heritage designation. Built between 1868 and 1871, the yellow brick church has served as a place of worship and gathering for London's Black community, including many who fled slavery by way of the Underground Railroad.

It was originally known as the African Methodist Church which started in 1856 with a location on Thames Street before the brick building was built on Grey Street in what is now London's SoHo neighbourhood.

“It’s one of the few churches in London associated with the Black community that’s still standing," he said. "It has direct ties to the Underground Railroad and it’s a neighbourhood landmark."