Description

CEM 219-Rev_burkholder_cemetery

Other Known Names: Burkholder East

Street Address:         441 Mohawk Road East

Location: Lot 9, Concession 5, Barton Township

Type of Cemetery: Family (Burkholder), Municipal

Responsible Agency: City of Hamilton

Status for Burials: Open for burials         Plot Plan: None

Size: Medium, 580 monuments Additional Information: Signage: Church Signage Only Fencing: Chain link

Monument Types: Flat, upright and column Monuments of: Marble and granite

Date of Opening: 1817

History:

The earliest known burial at this site is for Jacob Burkholder (1747-1817), when the property was a family burial plot. The cemetery came into local use, and evolved into a non-denominational burial ground.

The property was legally defined as a cemetery in 1839, when a log school house was built on the property, while in 1850 a Church was constructed on the site. Although they appear to be connected, the cemetery and church remained separate entities.

The cemetery was expanded in 1875, due to demand. Though originally intended that the plots be cared for by their owners, most of the plots were overgrown by the 1920s. A perpetual care system was established in 1924, and the cemetery was expanded with an additional property purchase, resulting in its configuration, located on either side of the church. The cemetery contains a monument dedicated to the pioneers of the Burkholder family.

In 1987 ownership of the cemetery was transferred to the City of Hamilton

In October 1794, Jacob Burkholder and his wife, Sophia de Roche arrived on Hamilton Mountain.  One of the first families to settle in the area. The cemetery, located on Mohawk Rd in Hamilton, established on a portion of land owned by descendants of the original settlers.  It is believed as early as the year 1800 the people of the neighbourhood brought their dead here for burial.

In 1839, the land was officially set aside to be used as a common school site and a public burying ground.  A log school erected just inside the main gates and used for both religious and educational purposes.

In 1850, a church built on the same site known as, “the Little White Church”.  It stood for over one hundred years until demand for a larger church forced it to be demolished in 1955.  In 1958, they erected the current Burkholder United Church.