Many of Africville’s permanent residents had full-time jobs and strong church ties. Organized by the famous Richard Preston, who often performed the office of visiting pastor, the Seaview African United Baptist Church was a centre of a community life. Its deacons became community leaders, while social activities were held in the church building. The Seaview church also retained strong ties with other members of the African Baptist Association. Other churches often held their baptisms in the waters around Africville or their church picnics on the scenic Bedford Basin. The sunrise Easter service was attended by many people of various cultural groups. The situation began to deteriorate in the mid-1800s. The proximity of a fertilizer plant, the city dump and incinerator, a slaughterhouse, and an Infectious Diseases Hospital all posed serious health risks to Africville residents. The city prison was also located in the area. In Africville, property values fell as a result, while the lack of water meant that the residents could not insure their property against fire. Increasingly, Africville became known as a slum. To the dismay of the community leaders, it drew an ever-growing number of transients, or "drifters," who came in search of cheap housing. Unfortunately, the city had no plans to improve the quality of life for Africville residents. The presence of the railway tracks and access to shipping in Bedford Basin meant that Africville was targeted for industrial development. A rolling mill and nail factory, coal piers and foundries were soon located nearby. The threat of enforced relocation took its toll on the residents. Recognizing that other neighbourhoods might offer improved housing and access to city services, some residents were in favour of the move. Their voices outweighed those of the church elders, who by now had lost much of their influence in the community. The school had closed in 1953, and the children sent to integrated schools in Halifax. Few returned to settle in Africville. Little by little, the sense of community was being ruptured.Even the National Committee of Human Rights offered little help. At a time when human rights advocates were battling racial segregation, the idea of a separate community, composed almost entirely of people of African descent, was anathema. Instead of supporting the residents’ desires to stay, it concentrated on obtaining the best terms possible for relocation. In the end, people whose families had lived in the community for over 100 years were forced to move, in return for a $500 cash payment and subsidized public housing. A new bridge connecting Halifax and Dartmouth was constructed in the area. Today, many former Africville residents still grieve over the loss of their community. While many residents prospered in their new homes, others found it difficult to adjust. Those who moved into public housing experienced a loss of independence. Others missed the family and community support systems they had known in Africville. Africville became one of the many victims of society’s preoccupation with economic development, at the expense of community. Racism also played a role. Invariably, city officials blamed residents for the decay of Africville, while overlooking the government’s failure to provide proper services. The residents of Africville were thus victims of a tragic blunder. Click here to view some fascinating facts and link to more information Click here to view printable version of this page This project has been supported by the Canadian Studies Program, Canadian Heritage. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of Canada.