If you drive around the Third Line of Oro-Medonte, you will see a small log church at Old Barrie Road.
Many may not know the importance and significance of the Church known as the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The now National Historic Site of Canada is a monument to the Underground Railroad and shares a connection with one of Canada's Black heroes, Richard Pierpoint.
This relationship is told in an upcoming musical, "The Lost Heroes of Oro," by Barrie-based Production Company "Infinity Arts Productions.
Writer, Director, and Producer, Alinka Angelova wants to tell people about Pierpoint's significance in this region and across Canada.
Alinka Angelova, Writer, Director and Producer of "Lost Heroes of Oro"
"When Pierpoint came here, he helped build many communities; he travelled and would tell his stories to children. Everyone knew about him, so he was like a local celebrity. But he's also a hero that people don't know about. "Angelova explains.
She adds, "Through the War of 1812, he created a militia called 'The Colour Corps,' which helped build that Church. They say you can still see their fingerprints in the wall."
Angelova says while the show covers a darker side of history, she tried to find beauty in it.
Scene from Alinka Angelova's "Lost Heroes of Oro"
"It's not necessarily a happy story, but I know they weren't doom and gloom all the time, and there were happy moments," she explains.
Angelova is the first to admit she's not a history buff, so making history interesting was an important part of the play for her.
Scene from Alinka Angelova's "Lost Heroes of Oro"
"I want to make it appealing to people who, like me, are not fascinated with history. But I was like, 'Alinka" you can do this. Let's make this, so everybody wants to see it."
Her hard work has paid off, and "The Lost Heroes of Oro" comes to Georgian College Theatre on February 23rd and 24th.
It's the show's second run. It first hit the stage in February 2022, but several health mandates were in place.
Angelova says she hopes people feel more comfortable heading out to the theatre to catch the latest production and learn about this significant piece of local history.
Shows run on Friday Feb. 23rd, 2024 @7pm, Saturday Feb. 24th, 2024 @2pm & 7pm.
You can get your tickets here.
Images supplied by Alinka Angelova
