St. Thomas Roman Catholic Cemetery

The origin of the St. Thomas Roman Catholic Cemetery is linked with the establishment of the Roman Catholic Church in the Village of Waterdown. In 1846, Catholic pioneers had settled in sufficient numbers that a small wooden church was erected on the lands where the cemetery is located today. Prior to this, the people who had settled in the area were served by priests from Oakville and Dundas, and mass was often celebrated in homes.

Even though the land had been used for a church and cemetery for a number of years, it was not legally church land until 1852 when Mr. Thomas English, who had purchased property from Alexander MacDonnell, generously donated it to the church. The land which is located outside of the western boundary of the village was not easily accessible from what is today known as Dundas Street. Memories of the old stone church are filled with stories of back-firing kerosene lamps charring the face of the illuminator, and a toilet facility located not only outside, but also across the road!

As the parish grew, the need for a larger and more centrally located church arose. By 1915 a new church building was completed and opened on Flamboro Street, in the village proper, a location removed from the cemetery. When the structure was completed, the old church was allowed to fall into disuse and was eventually demolished in 1937.

The land continues to be used as a cemetery, and is managed today by the Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Hamilton. The cemetery entrance is a long driveway with a canopy of maple trees, ending at the location of the old church. The earliest internment dates from 25 February 1847, although some monuments commemorate pioneer burials from as early as 1809. Among the notable monuments is one to Thomas English, the founder of this early village cemetery. Many of the burials commemorate early village pioneers who came from counties in Ireland. Over 235 stones, some weathered with age, others more modern, which speak of love and devotion are still to be seen in this peaceful burial ground.