St. James Cemetery (Toronto)

File:Funeral of Canadian volunteers killed at Ridgeway in the Fenian Invasion (St. James cemetery, Toronto) Pictures-r-1310.jpgmen who fought in the Battle of Ridgeway.]]

The cemetery opened in July 1844 for the burial of people professing the Anglican faith. At that time, most of the city's population of 18,000 lived south of Queen Street West, and the cemetery's location was regarded during that era as being outside the city limits. The cemetery was necessary because the burial ground around the cathedral itself, in use since 1797, was out of room.{{Cite web |last=St. James' Cemetery |title=An Illustrated History of St. James' Cemetery |url=https://stjamescemetery.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sj-cemetery_illustratedhistory.pdf}}

The large, impressive specimen of copper beech tree that grows next to the chapel was planted by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII) during his visit to Canada in 1919.{{cite web |title=The Tree Pages |url=https://www.canadiantreetours.org/species-pages/Copper_beech.html |website=www.canadiantreetours.org |access-date=15 June 2021}}

Recognizing the growing trend throughout the world towards cremation, a crematorium was added in 1948. As of 2020, over 95,000 interments and 114,000 cremations have taken place at the cemetery.

The cemetery is home to the Chapel of St. James-the-Less, which sits atop a knoll at the highest point of the cemetery. In its harmonious composition, this small funeral chapel is a splendid example of Victorian Gothic design. Its sense of strength and spirituality is derived from the subtle contrast of its stone walls, enveloping roofs, and soaring spire. Erected in 1860 and opened in 1861, the chapel was designed by Cumberland and Storm, one of Toronto's leading 19th-century architectural firms. The Chapel of St. James-the-Less was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1990.[http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/lhn-nhs/det_E.asp?oqSID=0560&oqeName=Chapel+of+St.+James-the-Less&oqfName=Chapelle+de+St.+James-the-Less Chapel of St. James-the-Less Anglican Church], Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada[http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=7487&pid=0 Chapel of St. James-the-Less Anglican Church], National Register of Historic Places

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File:St. James Cemetery (38415894866).jpg, founder of The Dominion Bank (predecessor of TD Bank).]]

File:Grave of William Pearce Howland, St. James Cemetery, Toronto.jpg, the second Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.]]

File:John Robarts gravesite photo by Djuradj Vujcic.jpg, the seventeenth Premier of Ontario.]]

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• Graeme Mercer Adam, author, editor, and publisher{{cite web |last=McDougall |first=Robert L. |title=Adam, Graeme Mercer |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/adam_graeme_mercer_14E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• James Austin, founder of The Dominion Bank (predecessor of the Toronto Dominion Bank)
• Maurice Baldwin, Anglican Bishop{{cite web |last=Hayes |first=Alan L. |title=Baldwin, Maurice Scollard |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/baldwin_maurice_scollard_13E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Robert Baldwin, Joint Premier of the Province of Canada{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• George Anthony Barber, Toronto's first school superintendent{{cite web |last=Armstrong |first=Frederick H. |title=Barber, George Anthony |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/barber_george_anthony_10E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• William Henry Beatty, lawyer and businessman{{cite web |last=Kyer |first=C. Ian |title= Beatty, William Henry |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/beatty_william_henry_14E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Charles Albert Berczy, postmaster for Toronto{{cite web|url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/berczy_charles_albert_8E.html|title=Biography – Berczy, Charles Albert – Volume VIII (1851–1860) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography|publisher=}}
• Edward Blake, second premier of Ontario{{cite web |title=Premiers honoured |publisher=Ontario Heritage Trust |url=http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/pages/programs/premiers-gravesites-program/premiers-honoured |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Samuel Hume Blake, lawyer and judge. Brother of Edward Blake{{cite web |last=Blackwell |first=John D. |title=Blake, Samuel Hume |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/blake_samuel_hume_14E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Hampden Cockburn, Victoria Cross recipient in the Second Boer War{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• James Cockburn, Father of Confederation{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• Hannah Grier Coome, founder of Sisterhood of St. John the Divine; Anglican Church of Canada saint{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• Sophia Dalton, newspaper publisher{{cite web |last=Dalton |first=I. R. |title=Simms, Sophia |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/simms_sophia_8E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Francis Collier Draper, Chief Constable of Toronto{{cite web |last=Rogers |first=Nicholas |title=Draper, Francis Collier |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/draper_francis_collier_12E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Alfred Hutchinson Dymond, writer and politician{{cite web |last=Kiefer |first=Nancy |title=Dymond, Alfred Hutchinson |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/dymond_alfred_hutchinson_13E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• William Glenholme Falconbridge, lawyer and judge{{cite web |last=Benidickson |first=Jamie |title=Falconbridge, William Glenholme |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/falconbridge_william_glenholme_14E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• George Gooderham and William Gooderham Sr., whiskey magnates (see Gooderham and Worts)
• George Goulding, Olympic athlete{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• James Grand, businessman and co-founder of Grand & Toy office supply chain{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• H. J. Grasett, Toronto police chief from 1886 to 1920{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• Casimir Gzowski, engineer and railway builder
• Peter Gzowski, broadcaster{{cite web |title=St. James Cemetery |publisher=Heritage Toronto |url=http://heritagetoronto.org/event/st-james-cemetery/ |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• John Hawkins Hagarty, lawyer, teacher, and judge{{cite web |last=Parker |first=Graham |title=Hagarty, John Hawkins |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/hagarty_john_hawkins_12E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Esther Frances How, educator{{cite web |last=Houston |first=Susan E. |title=How, Frances Esther |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/how_frances_esther_14E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• William Pearce Howland, Father of Confederation{{cite web |last=Maga |first=Carly |title=Toronto Cemetery Sojourns: St. James Cemetery |publisher=Torontoist |date=October 29, 2011 |url=https://torontoist.com/2011/10/cemetery-sojourn-st-james-cemetery/}}
• Edward Holland, recipient of the Victoria Cross; cremated at St. James Cemetery{{cite web |title=Edward James Gibson Holland VC |publisher=The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria & George Cross |url=http://www.vconline.org.uk/edward-j-g-holland-vc/4587019174 |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Aemilius Irving, lawyer{{cite web |last=Benidickson |first=Jamie |title=Irving, Aemilius |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/irving_aemilius_14E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Andrew Scott Irving, bookseller and publisher{{cite web |last=Hulse |first=Elizabeth |title=Irving, Andrew Scott |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/irving_andrew_scott_13E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Robert Sympson Jameson, lawyer and politician{{cite web |last=Blackwell |first=John D. |title=Jameson, Robert Sympson |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/jameson_robert_sympson_8E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Winnifred Kingsford, sculptor and teacher{{cite news|title=Obituaries|work=The Globe and Mail|date=5 February 1947}}{{cite news |title=Prominent Sculptress Dies in Toronto |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/48637026 |access-date=6 March 2016 |work=The Ottawa Journal |date=5 February 1947}}
• E. J. Lennox, architect of Casa Loma and Old City Hall{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• Alexander Manning, contractor, businessman, and the 20th Mayor of Toronto{{cite web |last=Reford |first=Alexander |title=Manning, Alexander Henderson |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/manning_alexander_henderson_13E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Clara Brett Martin, lawyer{{cite web |last=Backhouse |first=Constance |title=Martin, Clara Brett |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/martin_clara_brett_15E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• John J. McLaughlin, founder of Canada Dry{{cite web |last=Bishop |first=M. Patricia |title=McLaughlin, John James |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/mclaughlin_john_james_14E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Francis Henry Medcalf, millwright, iron founder, and Mayor of Toronto{{cite web |last=Dyster |first=Barrie |title=Medcalf, Francis Henry |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/medcalf_francis_henry_10E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• William Ralph Meredith, politician{{cite web |last=Dembski |first=Peter E. Paul |title=Meredith, Sir William Ralph |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/meredith_william_ralph_15E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Wallace Nesbitt, lawyer and puisne justice of the Supreme Court of Canada{{cite web |last=Kyer |first=C. Ian |title=Nesbitt, Wallace |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/nesbitt_wallace_15E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Abe Orpen, owner of racetracks, casino operator, businessman{{cite news |work=Toronto Star |date=September 23, 1937 |p=40 |title=Death Notice: Orpen, A.M.}}
• Marjorie Pickthall, writer{{cite web |last=Godard |first=Barbara |title=Pickthall, Marjorie Lowry Christie |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/pickthall_marjorie_lowry_christie_15E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• James Henry Plummer, financier and businessperson{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=David |last2=Marchildon |first2=Gregory P. |title=Plummer, James Henry |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/plummer_james_henry_16E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Franklin Bates Polson, machinist, engineer and shipbuilder{{cite web |last=Moir |first=Michael B. |title=Polson, Franklin Bates |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/polson_franklin_bates_13E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Jackie Rae, singer, songwriter and television performer; uncle of Bob Rae and brother of diplomat Saul Rae{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• David Breakenridge Read, lawyer, educator, author, and Mayor of Toronto{{cite web |last=Blackwell |first=John D. |title=Read, David Breakenridge |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/read_david_breakenridge_13E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• John P. Robarts, 17th Premier of Ontario
• John Robinson, lawyer, judge and political{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• Henry Scadding, historian{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• John Scarlett, developer{{cn|date=June 2018}}
• Goldwin Smith, historian and journalist{{cite web |last=Cook |first=Ramsay |title=Smith, Goldwin |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/smith_goldwin_13E.html|access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• William Thomas, architect{{cite web |last=Einarson |first=Neil |title=Thomas, William |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/thomas_william_8E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Christopher Widmer, physician and surgeon{{cite web |last=Romney |first=Paul |title=Widmer, Christopher |publisher=Dictionary of Canadian Biography |url=http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/widmer_christopher_8E.html |access-date=June 9, 2018}}
• Daniel Wilson (academic)

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The cemetery contains the war graves of 42 Commonwealth service personnel, 16 from each of the two World Wars.[http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/49340/TORONTO%20(ST.%20JAMES')CEMETERY] CWGC Cemetery Report. Breakdown obtained from casualty record.

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• Jones, Donald. "Tombs of Toronto's first families. A walk in St. James' Cemetery recalls the pageantry in our past." Toronto Star. Toronto: October 2, 1993. Section C, p. G-8.

{{Commons category|St. James Cemetery (Toronto)}}

• {{Official|https://stjamescemetery.ca/}}
• {{Find a Grave cemetery}}
• [https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=7487 Chapel of St. James-the-Less National Historic Site of Canada]
• {{cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/why-toronto-s-oldest-cemetery-is-spending-2-5m-to-move-the-cremated-remains-of-500-people-1.6268891|title=Why Toronto's oldest cemetery is spending $2.5M to move the cremated remains of 500 people|last=Smee|first=Michael|publisher=CBC News|date=1 December 2021|access-date=3 December 2021}}

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Category:Cemeteries in Toronto

Category:Anglican cemeteries in Canada

Category:1840s establishments in Canada West

Category:Cemeteries established in the 1840s