A History of St.

Paul's Cemetery

Anglican mission work had flourished in Innisfil since 1842 under the leadership
of Reverend S. B. Ardagh, stationed in Shanty Bay. In 1845, interest was such
that John Pratt, a settler from Gloucestershire, England, gave one acre of land
on the north-west 1/4 of Lot 16, Concession 11 (eleven), for the purpose of a
church site and a cemetery.

The first records in the books give "Joseph Hunt - farmer, 66 years of age, of
Innisfil, buried on May 13, 1851; the officiating minister, Garrett Nugent,
assistant curate of Barrie". The first burial on the plot was that of Annie Gilpin
in the ear 1850. Mrs. John Pratt was
buried in 1851.

The first record we have of a Cemetery

Committee being formed at St. Paul's,
was in April, 1909. The members were
W. P. Carr, S. Blackmore and W. J.
Coulter. The first person named was
to drop out and a new member be
appointed each year.

In 1910, the Cemetery Committee presented their report showing a balance of

$10.00. This balance, the vestry decided, to leave in the Committee's hands to
apply as "they think best". The 1911 annual report showed receipts of $50.00
and expenditures of $18.19 leaving a surplus of $31.81.

The following year there was a vestry motion that the old rectory building be sold
for whatever it would bring, grounds prepared, surveyed, added to the cemetery
for sale by lot and left in the hands of the Cemetery Committee. At the same
period, the salary of the sexton and cemetery caretaker was $50.00 per annum,
including all extra church services and grass cutting as well.

In 1920, the vestry gave the Cemetery Committee power to make any alterations
in the cemetery and to keep the property in good repair.

The cemetery received a gift of more land from Mr. Andrew Bowman in 1915.

All plots had not been endowed at the cemetery through the years with many
families caring for their own. In 1937, there is record of a meeting of the Women's
Guild Committee and the Cemetery Committee to discuss and plan the spending
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of $15.00 donation from the Guild for the cutting of grass and care of neglected
plots. The next year a motion was made that all plots sold should be endowed.

A preference in price was given to St. Paul's members -- a member being a person
"who shall attend this church for at least five years, and contribute at least $5.00
a year before they are entitled to a plot in the cemetery".

The first mention of a Memorial Service was recorded in 1946. For several years,
this service was held outdoors
under the maple trees. In recent
years, the service is held in the
church with the congregation
adjourning to the cemetery for a
hymn, prayers and benediction.

Mr. Herbert New was caretaker of

St. Paul's Cemetery for 30 years.
In the minutes, it is shown that
Herbert New received $40.00 for
cutting the grass in 1947. The
cost of opening a grave at that date was $7.00 from April through November, and
$9.00 in winter months. Mr. New was dedicated to his work at the cemetery and
kept it in splendid condition.

In 1947, the B. F. Quantz family placed gateposts at the front of the cemetery
with the inscription "B. F. Quantz Family 1851-1947".

In 1948, the first piece of iron fence was erected across the front of the cemetery
at a cost of $2.25 per foot for fence made up and painted. The new part of the
cemetery, now north of the vault, was cleaned up and levelled.

In 1955, the Cemetery Board bought 2 and 1/2 acres south of the cemetery, the
present site of St. Paul's School.

In 1956, negotiations began for the sale of this land, owned by St. Paul's
Cemetery Board to the Township of Innisfil School Area No. 2 for the purpose of
erecting a new school. The Cemetery Board accepted $750.00 for the sale of this
land along with the site of the old school, including the old school building. The
deed of the old school property was to be properly released and turned over to
the Cemetery Board within three years of the date of the transaction. In return,
the Cemetery Board released its deed to the 2 and 1/2 acres. This business was

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terminated in October, 1956. Mr. Diamond, a qualified surveyor, surveyed the
property.

In 1959, the old school was rented back to the School Board at $25.00 per month
for teaching purposes for a short period of time. The school also served as a
parish hall for groups such as Boy Scouts.

In 1959, the caretaker's salary was raised to $1,200.00 per year. At this time
Herbert New resigned as caretaker and Jack Lennox took over the duties.

In 1961, an addition was built to the east end of the old school, the porch was
taken off the west end and the doors enlarged. The school became a cemetery
vault for winter burials. In 1962, the building received a coat of stucco. In 1963,
the porch and the posts were built at the front entrance, the ceiling was tiled,
new windows of cathedral glass were installed, the floors sanded and the interior
painted.

In 1964, the iron fence along the front of the cemetery was extended to the south
and a new, second set of brick posts built. In 1971, a new chain link fence and
gate were erected on the north side of the cemetery and the iron fence received
a fresh coat of paint.

In November, 1972, Roy Kirkpatrick surveyed and staked out ready for use, that
part of the cemetery east of the vault.

George Martin rendered his services as Secretary-Treasurer of St. Paul's

Cemetery Board for over 40 years. He resigned in February, 1969, at which time
Gordon Rix took over the duties. Mr. Rix served in this capacity until the time
of his death in 1971. At this time, his wife, Evelyn Rix, assumed the
responsibilities of Secretary-Treasurer and continued to do this work until she
resigned in January, 1980.

In May 1976, the cemetery was vandalized. This is the only time something like
this has ever occurred. (Editor's note: On October 31, 1977, as Mayor of the Town of Aurora,
I was summoned by the Chief of York Regional Police to read The Riot Act because of a Hallowe'en
riot on Yonge Street in Aurora. I did not read the Act, but the Chief received an egg in the face, and
many teenagers were arrested. Was there something in the moon those couple of years?)

Craig Hunter was the board chairperson for many years until he retired in 1992.
He felt torn between his time commitment on the board and winters spent in
Florida with his wife Dorothy. Austin Winch and Ann Shorrocks took on 1-year
terms filling in after Craig’s retirement.

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Bess Morgan was appointed Secretary-Treasurer on February 12, 1980, at a
stipend of $250.00 per year. She carried on until June 13, 1987, at which time
Anita Farmer succeeded her and continued until 1991. Lillian Beames took on
this role until she retired in 1996.

Caretakers have been - George Quantz, 1929; Herbert New, 1929-1959; Jack
Lennox, 1959-1962; George Ransom, 1962-1968; Leo Gibbons, 1969-1974;
William Hoskins was appointed in 1975 and Herb Gadsby from 1976 to February
1, 1980.

Bess Morgan was appointed Secretary-Treasurer on February 12, 1980, at a

stipend of $250.00 per year. She carried on until June 13, 1987, at which time
Anita Farmer succeeded her and continued until 1991.

On April 1, 1980, Norman Richardson was appointed Superintendent of the

Cemetery at a salary of $5,000.00 per year. He continued in this work until he
retired in April 1996.

The 1990’s saw many changes both to the governing Cemetery Act and also to
society’s burial traditions. Were once full casket burials were the norm, more
and more people were opting for cremation burials.

Doris Neelin was appointed as chairperson in 1994 and was instrumental in

implementing many of the changes that followed.

St. Paul’s chose a cross design for the columbarium area. The first of four walls
was completed June 30, 1994 and the first niche was sold in September of that
year.

In May 1996 the board

shared office space in the
Lay Ministry office at the
church where the records
were to be kept. Wanda
Dickey was hired as office
manager/secretary-
treasurer with an annual
honorarium of $5,000.
Sanderson Monument was
contracted to open graves

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for burials and complete all foundation installations.

A new section in the southern area (8) was surveyed that year as the previous
“new” section was almost full. In August 1999, two additional columbarium
walls were constructed. The final wall in the design has now been completed
and we will look forward to a “new” addition or area for the future.

Our cemetery is a popular choice for residents as it is the only alternative “open”
cemetery besides Barrie Union serving the Barrie/Innisfil area. “Open” referring
to the fact that we do not require families to be members at St. Paul’s.

Wanda Dickey resigned her position in September 2000 to return to full time
employment. Doris Neelin retired in 2001 and continued on with many other
ministries at St. Paul’s. Gwen Srigley was appointed as chairperson in 2002 and
after many years of dedicated service retired in 2015. Wanda Dickey was
appointed as chairperson at that time.

Sanderson Monument Co. has been contracted as operations manager since

2002 and takes care of the day to day work at the cemetery.

Many compliments have been received on the well-kept grounds of St. Paul's
Cemetery!