Africville Building Permit No. 39620

Africville Building Permit No. 39620

This repair permit for the Seaview United Baptist Church highlights both the church’s significance in Africville and Deacon Ralph Jones’s commitment as an individual community leader. The permit shows that residents actively worked to maintain and improve their central gathering space, countering claims made by Halifax city government that Africville’s buildings were neglected or poorly cared for. As a key figure in the church, Jones’s involvement in securing repairs reflects his dedication to preserving a place that served as the heart of spiritual and social life, as well as political organizing. This document demonstrates his sense of responsibility, showing him as a proactive caretaker who helped to sustain the community’s stability and collective identity.

Office of City Inspector

Africville Building Permits and Applications

Halifax Municipal Archives

22 August, 1950

Halifax Municipal Archives