Area Underground Railroad story draws crowd

VERMILION — Grace United Methodist Church in Vermilion marked Black History Month on Feb. 5 with a community program highlighting Oberlin's nationally significant role in the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement. The event, hosted by the church's diversity committee, featured a presentation titled Freedom's Friends: The Underground Railroad and Abolitionists in Oberlin, Ohio, by Amanda Manahan of the Oberlin Heritage Center. Nearly 50 people attended the program, which explored how Oberlin and Lorain County served as a critical refuge for freedom-seekers prior to the Civil War. Manahan shared research indicating that as many as 3,000 African Americans passed through or settled in Oberlin and Lorain County after escaping slavery. She discussed the courage of abolitionists and community members who supported the Underground Railroad, connecting local history to the broader national struggle against slavery. The program was part of Grace United Methodist Church's ongoing Diversity Series, which focuses on education, dialogue and inclusion. The series is leading up to Pride 2026, scheduled for Saturday, June 6. Grace United Methodist Church plans to continue offering public programs through the Diversity Series and encourages community members to participate in future events. People can contact Jim Chapple, chair of Grace United Methodist Church's diversity committee, at chappjw@aol.com for more information.