Description

CEM 377-Rev_Rock Chapel Cemetery

Street Address:        451 Rock Chapel Road

Location:                  Lot 21, Concession 2, West Flamborough Township

Type of Cemetery: Religious ( Episcopal and Wesleyan Methodist, Methodist, United)

Responsible Agency: Rock Chapel United Church Cemetery Board

Status for Burials: Open for Burials          Plot Plan: None

Signage: Church Signage

Fencing: Wire fencing with open section Monument Types:        Flat, upright and column Monuments of: Marble and granite

Date of Opening: 1838

History:

In 1822, a frame chapel was constructed on the edge of the escarpment, overlooking the Dundas Valley. Known as Rock Chapel, it served as a meeting place for many different denominations, though it came to be dominated by quarrelling Episcopal and Wesleyan Methodists. It is said that a skirmish took place one Sunday when the Episcopalians were worshiping inside. The Wesleyans stormed the building, attempting to gain entrance, but failed because of a good lock and multiple hands holding down windows.

In 1830 the Wesleyans purchased land from Daniel Morden far enough away from the escarpment edge for a cemetery. Following the Methodist Union in 1876, the congregation elected to build a church within the cemetery property and retained the name Rock Chapel.

This site is the burial place of several United Empire Loyalists and their descendants, and was first used for the interment of Abraham Baker in 1838. The cemetery remains in use and is maintained by the church.