Description

CEM 134-Rev_kirkwall_presbyterian_church_cemetery

Street Address: 1545 Kirkwall Road

Location: Lot 18, Concession 7, Beverly Township

Type of Cemetery: Religious (Presbyterian)

Responsible Agency: Kirkwall Cemetery Board

Status for Burials: Open for burials          Plot Plan: None

Size:         Medium, 430 monuments

Fencing: Hedgerow, with open sections Monument Types:         Flat, upright and column Monuments of: marble and granite

Date of Opening: 1842

History:

In 1832, Thomas Christie founded the first Presbyterian Church in Kirkwall. In 1835, land was given to this church by William Dickson for the construction of a log chapel and burying ground. The first documented interment took place in 1842, with the burial of Matthew Elliot. The reported but unconfirmed burials of Mrs. Pentland and James Mitchell are recorded as having taken place earlier, in 1838 and 1839 respectively.

The cemetery was expanded in 1890, 1900 and in 1963. Originally, families maintained their plots, but in 1912 the Kirkwall Women’s Institute set up a fund for the maintenance of the cemetery, and since that date it has been operated by the Kirkwall Church Cemetery Board.

To reach this cemetery, begin at Brantford, King George Road which becomes Highway #24. Travel north a few kilometres to the junction of Highway # 99, a.k.a. Govenors Road. There are traffic lights there. Turn right on to Highway #99 and travel east for several kilometres to the village of Lynden. At the all way stop, turn left on to Lynden Road and travel north for several kilometres to Highway # 8.

Turn right on to Highway # 8 and travel east a few kilometres. Watch for a road sign indicating Kirkwall Road where you will make a left turn. Travel north on Kirkwall Road a few kilometres and you will come to the village of Kirkwall. The cemetery and the church are on your left.

This cemetery is active and it is very well maintained. It is under the jurisdiction of the Kirkwall Presbyterian Church Cemetery Board.