St. James' Cemetery and Crematorium is a historic
cemetery in
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. It is the oldest cemetery in Toronto that is still in use, having opened in 1844.[1] It was originally the burial ground for the
Cathedral Church of St. James, but it later became
non-denominational. The main entrance to the cemetery is located at 635
Parliament Street, north of Wellesley Street East. Just to the west is the
St. James Town neighbourhood, which is named after the cemetery.
History
The cemetery opened in July 1844 for the burial of people professing the
Anglican faith. At that time, most of the city's population of 18,000 lived south of
Queen Street West, and the cemetery's location was regarded during that era as being outside the city limits. The cemetery was necessary because the burial ground around the cathedral itself, in use since 1797, was out of room.[citation needed]
The large, impressive specimen of
copper beech tree that grows next to the chapel was planted by the Prince of Wales (later
King Edward VIII) during his visit to Canada in 1919.[2]
Recognizing the growing trend throughout the world towards
cremation, a crematorium was added in 1948. As of 2020, over 95,000 interments and 114,000 cremations have taken place at the cemetery.[1]
The cemetery is home to the Chapel of St. James-the-Less, which sits atop a knoll at the highest point of the cemetery. In its harmonious composition, this small funeral chapel is a splendid example of
Victorian Gothic design. Its sense of strength and spirituality is derived from the subtle contrast of its stone walls, enveloping roofs, and soaring spire. Erected in 1860 and opened in 1861, the chapel was designed by
Cumberland and
Storm, one of Toronto's leading 19th-century architectural firms. The Chapel of St. James-the-Less was designated a
National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.[3][4]
^Cook, Ramsay.
"Smith, Goldwin". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
^Einarson, Neil.
"Thomas, William". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
^Romney, Paul.
"Widmer, Christopher". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
^[1] CWGC Cemetery Report. Breakdown obtained from casualty record.
Bibliography
Jones, Donald. "Tombs of Toronto's first families. A walk in St. James' Cemetery recalls the pageantry in our past." Toronto Star. Toronto: October 2, 1993. Section C, p. G-8.
St. James' Cemetery and Crematorium is a historic
cemetery in
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. It is the oldest cemetery in Toronto that is still in use, having opened in 1844.[1] It was originally the burial ground for the
Cathedral Church of St. James, but it later became
non-denominational. The main entrance to the cemetery is located at 635
Parliament Street, north of Wellesley Street East. Just to the west is the
St. James Town neighbourhood, which is named after the cemetery.
History
The cemetery opened in July 1844 for the burial of people professing the
Anglican faith. At that time, most of the city's population of 18,000 lived south of
Queen Street West, and the cemetery's location was regarded during that era as being outside the city limits. The cemetery was necessary because the burial ground around the cathedral itself, in use since 1797, was out of room.[citation needed]
The large, impressive specimen of
copper beech tree that grows next to the chapel was planted by the Prince of Wales (later
King Edward VIII) during his visit to Canada in 1919.[2]
Recognizing the growing trend throughout the world towards
cremation, a crematorium was added in 1948. As of 2020, over 95,000 interments and 114,000 cremations have taken place at the cemetery.[1]
The cemetery is home to the Chapel of St. James-the-Less, which sits atop a knoll at the highest point of the cemetery. In its harmonious composition, this small funeral chapel is a splendid example of
Victorian Gothic design. Its sense of strength and spirituality is derived from the subtle contrast of its stone walls, enveloping roofs, and soaring spire. Erected in 1860 and opened in 1861, the chapel was designed by
Cumberland and
Storm, one of Toronto's leading 19th-century architectural firms. The Chapel of St. James-the-Less was designated a
National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.[3][4]
^Cook, Ramsay.
"Smith, Goldwin". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
^Einarson, Neil.
"Thomas, William". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
^Romney, Paul.
"Widmer, Christopher". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
^[1] CWGC Cemetery Report. Breakdown obtained from casualty record.
Bibliography
Jones, Donald. "Tombs of Toronto's first families. A walk in St. James' Cemetery recalls the pageantry in our past." Toronto Star. Toronto: October 2, 1993. Section C, p. G-8.