Michigan Street Baptist Church targeted for structural repairs, expansion

Buffalo News Jonathan D. Epstein May 25, 2021

The nonprofit agency that owns the Michigan Street Baptist Church that was a key part of the Underground Railroad before the Civil War is pursuing a series of critical structural repairs to prevent a potential "total failure and collapse" of the historic building.

At the same time, the Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition wants to expand the aging brick building with a new addition and connector to provide handicapped accessibility to the upper and lower floors, as well as new bathrooms.

That's akin to a similar project across the street at the Historic Colored Musicians Club, which was recently approved by the city.