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
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
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.”
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)”
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
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.
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 200 Winchester St
- Ontario Heritage Trust: 200 Winchester St
- Mount Pleasant Group: Toronto Necropolis
- Veterans Affairs Canada: Nursing Sister Kay Christie
- Cabbagetown People: Thornton and Lucie Blackburn
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: Toronto Public Library
- Vintage Map: Atlas of the City of Toronto 1890 by Chas E Goad courtesy of Toronto Public Library
