St. James Cemetery and Crematorium

St. James Cemetery and Crematorium, located at 635 Parliament Street in Toronto, stands as a serene and historic landmark. Opened in July 1844, it is the oldest cemetery still operating in the city. Initially, the cemetery served as the burial ground for the Anglican Cathedral Church of St. James, but it later became non-denominational. At the time of its opening, the location was considered to be well outside the city limits, as most of Toronto's population resided south of Queen Street West.The cemetery spans a picturesque landscape, featuring winding pathways and terraced sections along a ravine. In 1861, the Chapel of St. James-the-Less, designed by Cumberland and Storm, was consecrated. This chapel, a National Historic Site, exemplifies Victorian Gothic Revival architecture with its stone walls, steep roof, and soaring spire. In 1948, a crematorium was added to the grounds.Over 95,000 interments and 114,000 cremations have taken place at St. James Cemetery. Among those buried here are notable figures such as William Pearce Howland, the second Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and John Robarts, the seventeenth Premier of Ontario. The cemetery also contains the war graves of 42 Commonwealth service personnel from both World Wars. Visitors can explore the grounds, admire the architecture, and reflect on the history and lives of those interred within its peaceful setting.