Toronto Necropolis – Magnificent Natural Vistas & Gothic Architecture

September 1952 - Toronto Necropolis Chapel and entrance to the cemetery
September 1952 – Toronto Necropolis Chapel and entrance to the cemetery (Toronto Public Library R-5774)

The Toronto Necropolis is located at 200 Winchester St (on the north side, across the street from Riverdale Farm) in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto.

Some of Canada’s Finest Examples of Gothic Revival Architecture

The cemetery dates back to 1850 and is on just over 18 acres of land. The burial ground features wandering pathways and natural vistas. Architect Henry Langley (who passed away in 1906 and is buried here) designed the beautiful chapel, open woodwork gates, and superintendent’s lodge, built in 1871/72 at the cost of $8,632. These structures are considered some of the country’s most outstanding examples of Gothic Revival architecture.

The chapel has a large arched stained glass window that lights the nave, a bell tower placed uniquely at the rear over the sacristy and a tri-colour slate roof. In a thoughtful design, funeral processions enter through the porch, pass through the nave to the chancel and then through the sacristy to the grounds.

The Early Settlers of the Town of York

2022 – Looking northwest towards the Gothic Revival-style chapel and bell tower at the Toronto Necropolis
2022 – Looking northwest towards the Gothic Revival-style chapel and bell tower at the Toronto Necropolis

There are 984 Early Settlers of the Town of York re-interred at the Toronto Necropolis. Their remains were moved here from Potter’s Field during the mid to late 1800s. Potter’s Field was the area’s first non-sectarian cemetery located at the northwest corner of Yonge and Bloor Sts from 1826 to 1855. There were 6,685 people buried there, and while most were moved, some may still be under the high rises and shops in Yorkville.

Those Interred at the Toronto Necropolis

  • William Lyon Mackenzie – Toronto’s first mayor
  • George Brown – Journalist and one of the Fathers of Confederation
  • Anderson Ruffin Abbott – First Canadian-born Black surgeon
  • Ned Hanlan – World-champion oarsman
  • J Ross Robertson – Founder of the Toronto Telegram newspaper
  • Kay Christie – Nursing Sister during WWII and POW from 1942 to 1943
  • Albert Jackson – Toronto’s first black letter carrier
  • Janet Hamilton Neilson – Pioneering nurse who took care of Tuberculosis patients
  • Joseph Bloor (Bloore) – An innkeeper and brewer for whom Toronto’s Bloor St is named
  • David Ward & Family – Settlers of Ward’s Island
  • Thornton Blackburn & Lucie Blackburn – The Blackburns escaped slavery and made their way to Toronto. Mr Thorton established the city’s first horse-drawn cab company
  • Henry Langley – A Toronto architect, designed the buildings at the Necropolis

Necropolis is Greek for “City of the Dead.” Ontario’s first crematorium also opened here in 1933. The Necropolis is across the street from Riverdale Farm (once Riverdale Zoo).

Toronto Necropolis Photos

2020 – The Toronto Necropolis Chapel at 200 Winchester St in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto. The chapel was built in 1871/72 and designed by architect Henry Langley
2020 – The Toronto Necropolis Chapel at 200 Winchester St in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto. The chapel was built in 1871/72 and designed by architect Henry Langley
1955 - Toronto Necropolis Chapel and cemetery entrance at 200 Winchester St
1955 – Toronto Necropolis Chapel and cemetery entrance at 200 Winchester St (Toronto Public Library R-5775)
2021 – The Toronto Necropolis Chapel, entrance and superintendent's lodge at 200 Winchester St, all built in 1871/72
2021 – The Toronto Necropolis Chapel, entrance and superintendent’s lodge at 200 Winchester St, all built in 1871/72
2020 – A time capsule was buried on October 15, 2000, in commemoration of the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery's 150th anniversary
2020 – A time capsule was buried on October 15, 2000, in commemoration of the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery’s 150th anniversary
2020 – The entrance to the Toronto Necropolis cemetery in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto. The cemetery itself dates back to 1850 and is on just over 18 acres
2020 – The entrance to the Toronto Necropolis cemetery in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto. The cemetery itself dates back to 1850 and is on just over 18 acres
2020 – The chapel entrance to the Toronto Necropolis at 200 Winchester St in Toronto's Cabbagetown neighbourhood
2020 – The chapel entrance to the Toronto Necropolis at 200 Winchester St in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighbourhood
2022 – Looking northeast toward the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery at the corner of Winchester St and Sumach St
2022 – Looking northeast toward the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery at the corner of Winchester St and Sumach St
2023 – Looking northeast towards the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery
2023 – Looking northeast towards the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery
Circa 1880 – The grounds crew at the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery
Circa 1880 – The grounds crew at the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery (Toronto Public Library 2015-2-1-362)
2021 - Toronto Necropolis Cemetery in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood
2021 – Toronto Necropolis Cemetery in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood
2020 - Pews, sanctuary and stained glass windows in the chapel of the Toronto Necropolis
2020 – Pews, sanctuary and stained glass windows in the chapel of the Toronto Necropolis
2020 - Stained glass windows at the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2020 – Stained glass windows at the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2020 – The interior of the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2020 – The interior of the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2020 – "Funeral do on park please" sign at the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2020 – “Funeral do on park please” sign at the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2021 - Looking north towards the Toronto Necropolis Chapel and cemetery entrance at 200 Winchester St
2021 – Looking north towards the Toronto Necropolis Chapel and cemetery entrance at 200 Winchester St
2020 - Looking south towards the back of the Toronto Necropolis Chapel in Toronto's Cabbagetown neighbourhood. It's across from the Riverdale Farm and Park
2020 – Looking south towards the back of the Toronto Necropolis Chapel in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighbourhood. It’s across from the Riverdale Farm and Park
2020 – The Toronto Necropolis Cemetery at 200 Winchester St in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood
2020 – The Toronto Necropolis Cemetery at 200 Winchester St in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood
2019 – Looking northeast towards the chapel, cemetery entrance and superintendent's lodge at Toronto Necropolis in Cabbagetown
2019 – Looking northeast towards the chapel, cemetery entrance and superintendent’s lodge at Toronto Necropolis in Cabbagetown
2020 - Dedication wall at Toronto Necropolis Cemetery
2020 – Dedication wall at Toronto Necropolis Cemetery
2020 – Memorial wall at Toronto Necropolis Cemetery, which includes William Lyon Mackenzie (Toronto's first mayor), J Ross Robertson (founder of the Telegram) and Ned Hanlan (champion oarsman)
2020 – Memorial wall at Toronto Necropolis Cemetery, which includes William Lyon Mackenzie (Toronto’s first mayor), J Ross Robertson (founder of the Telegram) and Ned Hanlan (champion oarsman)
2020 - Memorial wall at the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery
2020 – Memorial wall at the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery
2021 – Looking east towards the Toronto Necropolis Chapel and Cemetery. Notice the chapel's tri-colour slate roof
2021 – Looking east towards the Toronto Necropolis Chapel and Cemetery. Notice the chapel’s tri-colour slate roof
2021 - Chapel's steeple at the Toronto Necropolis
2021 – Chapel’s steeple at the Toronto Necropolis
2021 - Superintendent's Lodge at the Toronto Necropolis
2021 – Superintendent’s Lodge at the Toronto Necropolis
2022 – Looking northwest towards the Gothic Revival-style chapel and bell tower at the Toronto Necropolis
2022 – Looking northwest towards the Gothic Revival-style chapel and bell tower at the Toronto Necropolis
2021 - The heritage plaque reads: 

The Toronto Necropolis 

“This cemetery, comprising 18.25 acres, was opened to replace the Potters Field which was located on the northwest corner of Bloor and Yonge Streets. 

Potters Field, the first non-sectarian burial ground in the then town of "Muddy York," consisted of 6 acres and was purchased in 1825 for the sum of "seventy-five pounds currency" ($300). 

The first internment in the Necropolis took place on May 22, 1850, within these grounds are buried many of those originally interred in Potters Field including citizens in every walk of life and some who occupied positions of eminence in the city. 

The present chapel, lodge, and porte-cochère were built in 1872 at a cost of $8,692.00. The crematorium, the first in Ontario, was opened in 1933. By December 31, 1969, 42,360 internments had been made in the Toronto Necropolis. In the grounds are numerous interesting memorials and many unusual species of trees and shrubs.”
2021 – The heritage plaque reads:

The Toronto Necropolis

“This cemetery, comprising 18.25 acres, was opened to replace the Potters Field which was located on the northwest corner of Bloor and Yonge Streets.

Potters Field, the first non-sectarian burial ground in the then town of “Muddy York,” consisted of 6 acres and was purchased in 1825 for the sum of “seventy-five pounds currency” ($300).

The first internment in the Necropolis took place on May 22, 1850, within these grounds are buried many of those originally interred in Potters Field including citizens in every walk of life and some who occupied positions of eminence in the city.

The present chapel, lodge, and porte-cochère were built in 1872 at a cost of $8,692.00. The crematorium, the first in Ontario, was opened in 1933. By December 31, 1969, 42,360 internments had been made in the Toronto Necropolis. In the grounds are numerous interesting memorials and many unusual species of trees and shrubs.”
2020 - The heritage plaque reads: 

The Toronto Necropolis Chapel 

"The chapel at the Toronto Necropolis, together with adjoining entry pavilion and superintendent's office and residence, constitute one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Canada. 

The unique composition of buildings was designed by architect Henry Langley in 1872. The chapel, whose arch is the most prominent decorative feature, has a distinctly Gothic motif, including the large arched front stained glass window lighting the nave and the arched rose window of stained glass lighting the sanctuary and chancel. 

A unique aspect of the chapel's architecture is the placement of the bell tower at the rear, over the sacristy, a sensible design for funeral processions entering through the porch and passing through the large nave to the chancel and finally through the sacristy to the cemetery grounds. 

Henry Langley, a Toronto architect, was noted for his use of Gothic Revival style in churches. He died in 1906 at the age of seventy, and was buried in the Toronto Necropolis (Section O, Lot 255)"
2020 – The heritage plaque reads:

The Toronto Necropolis Chapel

“The chapel at the Toronto Necropolis, together with adjoining entry pavilion and superintendent’s office and residence, constitute one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Canada.

The unique composition of buildings was designed by architect Henry Langley in 1872. The chapel, whose arch is the most prominent decorative feature, has a distinctly Gothic motif, including the large arched front stained glass window lighting the nave and the arched rose window of stained glass lighting the sanctuary and chancel.

A unique aspect of the chapel’s architecture is the placement of the bell tower at the rear, over the sacristy, a sensible design for funeral processions entering through the porch and passing through the large nave to the chancel and finally through the sacristy to the cemetery grounds.

Henry Langley, a Toronto architect, was noted for his use of Gothic Revival style in churches. He died in 1906 at the age of seventy, and was buried in the Toronto Necropolis (Section O, Lot 255)”
2021 – The heritage plaque reads:   

The Early Settlers 

“The remains of 984 Early Settlers of the Town of York were removed from Potters Field and re-interred in the Necropolis in a section designated "The Resting Place of Pioneers" 1851 to 1881.” 

Cabbagetown Preservation Association
2021 – The heritage plaque reads:

The Early Settlers

“The remains of 984 Early Settlers of the Town of York were removed from Potters Field and re-interred in the Necropolis in a section designated “The Resting Place of Pioneers” 1851 to 1881.”

Cabbagetown Preservation Association
2021 - The plaque reads: 

Potters Field of Muddy York 

"The Trustees of the Toronto General Burying Grounds established "The Potters Field" on this site in 1826 as the area's first non-secretion cemetery. This group of concerned citizens raised the necessary three hundred dollars to purchase the land, by public subscription, accepting no donation over one dollar. As the city grew rapidly northwards, what had been the south-eastern corner of the "Woods," well outside the town, became Yorkville. 

Potters Field was closed in 1855. Individual monuments and the remains of the 6,685 people were moved between 1851 and 1881, many to The Resting Place of Pioneers at the Toronto Necropolis and Mount Pleasant Cemetery." 

Erection by Toronto Trust Cemeteries and Hammerson Canada Inc. May 20th 1988 

The plaque is located on the northwest corner of Yonge St and Bloor St W.
2021 – The plaque reads:

Potters Field of Muddy York

“The Trustees of the Toronto General Burying Grounds established “The Potters Field” on this site in 1826 as the area’s first non-secretion cemetery. This group of concerned citizens raised the necessary three hundred dollars to purchase the land, by public subscription, accepting no donation over one dollar. As the city grew rapidly northwards, what had been the south-eastern corner of the “Woods,” well outside the town, became Yorkville.

Potters Field was closed in 1855. Individual monuments and the remains of the 6,685 people were moved between 1851 and 1881, many to The Resting Place of Pioneers at the Toronto Necropolis and Mount Pleasant Cemetery.”

Erection by Toronto Trust Cemeteries and Hammerson Canada Inc. May 20th 1988

The plaque is located on the northwest corner of Yonge St and Bloor St W.
1910 - Looking northwest towards the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery from the east side of the Don River. The cemetery is located at the top of the hill. The round structure in the centre was part of the Riverdale Zoo which is now the Riverdale Farm
1910 – Looking northwest towards the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery from the east side of the Don River. The cemetery is located at the top of the hill. The round structure in the centre was part of the Riverdale Zoo which is now the Riverdale Farm (Toronto Public Library R-5818)
September 1952 - Toronto Necropolis Chapel and entrance to the cemetery
September 1952 – Toronto Necropolis Chapel and entrance to the cemetery (Toronto Public Library R-5774)
2023 – Looking north towards the Gothic Revival-style chapel and the cemetery entrance at the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery from Winchester St
2023 – Looking north towards the Gothic Revival-style chapel and the cemetery entrance at the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery from Winchester St
2021 – The entrance to the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery
2021 – The entrance to the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery
2020 - The bell tower at the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2020 – The bell tower at the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2021 - Toronto Necropolis Chapel and Cemetery entrance in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood
2021 – Toronto Necropolis Chapel and Cemetery entrance in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood
2021 - Looking southeast towards the Toronto Necropolis Chapel. The beautiful chapel was built in 1871/72 and is topped with a tri-colour slate roof
2021 – Looking southeast towards the Toronto Necropolis Chapel. The beautiful chapel was built in 1871/72 and is topped with a tri-colour slate roof
2021 - Looking northeast towards the Toronto Necropolis superintendent lodge from Winchester St
2021 – Looking northeast towards the Toronto Necropolis superintendent lodge from Winchester St
1922 - William Lyon Mackenzie's gravestone (on the left) at the Toronto Necropolis
1922 – William Lyon Mackenzie’s gravestone (on the left) at the Toronto Necropolis (Toronto Public Library R-5811)
2019 - The cemetery at the Toronto Necropolis
2019 – The cemetery at the Toronto Necropolis
2020 – Inside the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2020 – Inside the Toronto Necropolis Chapel
2021 – A stained glass window and nameplate on the exterior of the  Toronto Necropolis Chapel. The cemetery was founded in 1850, while the crematorium was established in 1933
2021 – A stained glass window and nameplate on the exterior of the Toronto Necropolis Chapel. The cemetery was founded in 1850, while the crematorium was established in 1933
1890 - Goads Map showing the location of the Toronto Necropolis
1890 – Goads Map showing the location of the Toronto Necropolis (Toronto Public Library)
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