T Bone Little tunes up benefit for Falls church repairs
Every February, 88- year- old John ( T Bone) Little pitches in for some repairs at the historic BME Church, Nathaniel Dett Memorial Chapel, on Niagara Falls’ Peer Street.
His tools? An electric guitar and a flashy jacket even Don Cherry would envy.
One of the city’s legendary musicians will once again perform a benefit show Sunday to help the church he got his start at fix some odds ’ n’ ends.
There will also be a screening of the documentary Wilma: The Life of a Black Canadian, which examines the eventful life of Niagara Falls black historian Wilma Morrison, who was essential in saving the church in the ’ 90s and helping it become an official heritage site in 2000.
Little and Morrison are longtime friends who first met at the church in 1952.
The 182- year- old church is where many slaves would congregate after fleeing the U. S. via the Underground Railroad.
With its age comes plenty of repairs, says Pastor Lois Dix.
“The electrical wiring needs to be replaced, particularly the knob and tube wiring which was part of the original wiring done by volunteers, probably in the 1950s,” she says. “The floor in the back room of the church needs to have the old worn carpet removed. Part of the floor needs to be better supported, new sub- floor and vinyl flooring installed.”
Add some water damage and window frames which need to be replaced, and the church is looking at $ 80,000 in upkeep.
“This is a heritage building, so the work must be done to code,” says Dix. “The church will apply for any available grants to help with the cost of these repairs.”
The documentary screening follows a brief opening service at 10: 30 a. m. After a luncheon, Little plays a gospel concert starting at 1: 30 p. m. with special guests Karyn Bower and Inkspots singer Joe Rhodes.
The event is free, with a free will offering.
“We hope the community will support our efforts to maintain this building which has so much history for many people living in the Niagara area,” says Dix.