TORONTO NECROPOLIS
200 Winchester Street
Toronto, Ontario M4X 1B7
416.923.7911
Established: 1850
Acres: 18.25
Official Site
Bella Morte Rating: 2 Tombstones
Old Cabbagetown, in the heart of Toronto, holds a surprising secret … the Toronto Necro- polis. Located at the end of quiet, unassuming Winchester Street (directly across from Riverdale Farm) the first thing visitors to Necropolis (literally, “City of the Dead”) will notice is the disarming beauty of the chapel building.
Noted as one of the most striking examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Canada, the chapel (along with the adjacent superintendent’s residence) stands sentry to the cool and shaded grounds within. Designed in 1872 by Henry Langley [who died in 1906 and now rests in the Necropolis – Lot 255, Section O], the Gothic structure is surrounded by a lush, well-manicured lawn and gardens resplendent with local flora and fauna. Inside, stained glass windows splash a multi-coloured palette across the wooden pews and vaulted ceiling. A catafalque stands in silent testimony to the structure’s main function. To either side of the cruciform chapel are alcoves which house columbaria for those who wish to have their mortal remains rest indoors where the voices of visitors and mourners alike will keep them company. On temperate days, when the windows and doors are ajar, birdsong fills the space with cheery, natural music.
Another unique feature of the chapel is the crematorium which was added to the back of the structure in 1933. This was the first crematorium in Ontario. At the time, cremation was not an oft-chosen post-mortem option; however, the practice became increasingly popular as attitudes towards death changed. Today, the number of Canadians choosing to be cremated exceeds those who desire traditional burial or entombment. Since 1933 over 20,000 bodies have “gone up in smoke” through the imposing stack which rises from the crematorium roof.
Many of the earliest residents of the Toronto Necropolis were “refugees” from the former “Potter’s Field” which once stood on 4 acres at the corner of Yonge and Bloor Street. Lack of space and growing objection to the utilization of space for “strangers” and the poor resulted in the closing of the Field in 1855. Of the numerous coffins unearthed, over 900 were transported to the Necropolis where they rest to this day.
The Necropolis is a place of great natural beauty. Though diminutive, the burying ground packs a powerful punch in this regard. Deeply-shaded by numerous towering trees, the cemetery provides a place of cool and quiet respite even on hot days. Over the years, many flowers, trees and flowering shrubs have been planted and they continue to flourish, attracting bees, birds, squirrels and various other critters.
Taphophiles interested in the grandeur of a Victorian Garden cemetery will be disappointed by the relative lack of large stones and figures, but those whose interest lies in historic (if simple) stones will find in the Necropolis a happy haunting ground. We at Bella Morte were most captivated by the chapel, but strolling the acres was not without appeal. A scattering garden, memorial wall and small outdoor columbarium added to the simple appeal of this little cemetery.
A visit from any great distance would not be recommended (save the fact of Mt. Pleasant's proximity!); however, if you happen to be in Toronto and you love cemeteries (a highly-likely possibility since you are reading this!) then you should definitely write the Necropolis into your itinerary.
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200 Winchester Street
Toronto, Ontario M4X 1B7
416.923.7911
Established: 1850
Acres: 18.25
Official Site
Bella Morte Rating: 2 Tombstones
Old Cabbagetown, in the heart of Toronto, holds a surprising secret … the Toronto Necro- polis. Located at the end of quiet, unassuming Winchester Street (directly across from Riverdale Farm) the first thing visitors to Necropolis (literally, “City of the Dead”) will notice is the disarming beauty of the chapel building.
Noted as one of the most striking examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Canada, the chapel (along with the adjacent superintendent’s residence) stands sentry to the cool and shaded grounds within. Designed in 1872 by Henry Langley [who died in 1906 and now rests in the Necropolis – Lot 255, Section O], the Gothic structure is surrounded by a lush, well-manicured lawn and gardens resplendent with local flora and fauna. Inside, stained glass windows splash a multi-coloured palette across the wooden pews and vaulted ceiling. A catafalque stands in silent testimony to the structure’s main function. To either side of the cruciform chapel are alcoves which house columbaria for those who wish to have their mortal remains rest indoors where the voices of visitors and mourners alike will keep them company. On temperate days, when the windows and doors are ajar, birdsong fills the space with cheery, natural music.
Another unique feature of the chapel is the crematorium which was added to the back of the structure in 1933. This was the first crematorium in Ontario. At the time, cremation was not an oft-chosen post-mortem option; however, the practice became increasingly popular as attitudes towards death changed. Today, the number of Canadians choosing to be cremated exceeds those who desire traditional burial or entombment. Since 1933 over 20,000 bodies have “gone up in smoke” through the imposing stack which rises from the crematorium roof.
Many of the earliest residents of the Toronto Necropolis were “refugees” from the former “Potter’s Field” which once stood on 4 acres at the corner of Yonge and Bloor Street. Lack of space and growing objection to the utilization of space for “strangers” and the poor resulted in the closing of the Field in 1855. Of the numerous coffins unearthed, over 900 were transported to the Necropolis where they rest to this day.
The Necropolis is a place of great natural beauty. Though diminutive, the burying ground packs a powerful punch in this regard. Deeply-shaded by numerous towering trees, the cemetery provides a place of cool and quiet respite even on hot days. Over the years, many flowers, trees and flowering shrubs have been planted and they continue to flourish, attracting bees, birds, squirrels and various other critters.
Taphophiles interested in the grandeur of a Victorian Garden cemetery will be disappointed by the relative lack of large stones and figures, but those whose interest lies in historic (if simple) stones will find in the Necropolis a happy haunting ground. We at Bella Morte were most captivated by the chapel, but strolling the acres was not without appeal. A scattering garden, memorial wall and small outdoor columbarium added to the simple appeal of this little cemetery.
A visit from any great distance would not be recommended (save the fact of Mt. Pleasant's proximity!); however, if you happen to be in Toronto and you love cemeteries (a highly-likely possibility since you are reading this!) then you should definitely write the Necropolis into your itinerary.
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