The Lane School the first school for black children on the Island after emancipation in 1834 has been saved from demolition.

The building, on East Broadway, was one of seven schools the Anglican Church helped build in partnership with the Young Men's Friendly Societies on the Island.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Environment announced the former school will now be permanently listed as a Grade Three building and protected due to its historical importance.

The news comes after The Royal Gazette called on members of the public to show their support for saving the school last October and November. Scores of people contacted the paper to voice their support for saving the school from demolition.

Former administrator of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail in Bermuda, LeYoni Junos, was the first to spot a re-zoning request made by the building's owners and filed an objection. The National Trust also filed one and soon after the race relations group CURB started a letter-writing campaign and also lodged an objection.

If the re-zoning request had been granted the owners could have demolished the building and replaced it with a new building of up to five storeys.

But Minister of Environment Glenn Blakeney believed the Lane School was important to Bermuda and announced it would be temporarily listed as a historical building to prevent it being re-zoned or demolished.

At the time he said: "The public has been very clear in their desire to see this historically important building protected as an important part of our cultural heritage, and I certainly concur. This building represents an important part of our history and we cannot allow such significant architectural and cultural landmarks to be lost for this and future generations."

The provisional listing lasted for 90 days, during which time the owners could have objected to the decision. However, the owners decided not to contest the decision.

The announcement that the school has been saved comes on the eve of the 175th anniversary of slave ship Enterprize's arrival on the Island. The group which campaigned to free the Enterprize slaves held their meetings in the Lane School, another reason it has been listed as a historical building.

Last night acting Minister of Environment Zane DeSilva said: "I'm very pleased to be able to make this announcement that saves and protects one of Bermuda's architectural and historical gems. That this coincides with the Enterprize re-enactment taking place this week is truly exciting and significant for Bermuda's ongoing rediscovery of our social and historical roots. It was in this very building during the 1840s that The Young Men's Friendly Institution would meet — the same group who successfully lobbied the Governor of Bermuda to free the Enterprize slaves in 1835."

Ms Junos said she was relieved the school had been saved and said she hoped it would be turned into a museum.

"That it is still standing is a miracle," she said. "You can't save every building, but I believe it has a special place in the hearts of the black community in that it represents the beginning of the black community post slavery.

"I would love to see it restored and turned into a museum. Although, I do realise that it is private property so the only way we can have a say in what is done with it is if we buy it. Hopefully the community will do something."

Jennifer Gray, executive director of the Bermuda National Trust said they were pleased with the decision.

She added: "Determining historical significance can be by the judgment of everyone, an individual or collectively by a community. The Bermuda National Trust believes historical sites and buildings within the Bermuda landscape today provide direct and immediate connections to our past. They can play a major role in highlighting a sense of pride and ownership for all that makes up our rich culture, a sense of what it really means to be Bermudian, while also encouraging an appreciation of our diversity and that history which connects us.

"We applaud all those who expressed their concerns with regards the Lane School's future as in doing so, assured that the community's voice was heard.

And Lynne Winfield, of CURB, said: "Thank you to everyone for working together on a just cause. Thank you for the swift action of Minister Blakeney. Thank you to the owners of the building for being willing to allow Lane School to be protected. [The] Lane School has been saved!"

l See today's Lifestyle section, starting on Page 15, for more on the Enterprize.