Hillside Church Cemetery

 Hillside Church is located on Old Finch Road, near Reesor Rd. The cemetery sits on a small property with the original church still standing, though it is no longer in use. The church has no actual parking, and it is located at the apex of a little hill with a busy road. I parked across the street, where there also isn't any actual parking, but there is a little area by the nature trail that you can fit a car. Use caution, cars come whipping up and down this section at breakneck speed.

 I grew up in this area, and we used to drive past this church almost daily. Nothing much has changed in the last 30 years, but there are more recent burials and the property is being well maintained.
 I also must say that this area is one of my favourite parts of Scarborough. Not only is it right by the Zoo, but it has maintained a rural feel for the last 30+ years. The twisty-turning roads, the woods, the river, crazy bridges, it's like going through a time warp that exists solely between built-up Scarborough and the ever growing city of Markham.

 This plaque was erected by the Scarborough Historical Society and gives some insight to the history of this place.

 Henry Rate, died June 16, 1917. Aged 68 years.
Mary Jane Rate, his wife, died July 28, 1910. Aged 59 years.
Richard Rate, died October 5, 1894. Aged 20 days
Walter Rate, died April 24, 1896. Aged 7 months.

 Mary Ann Rate, born Dec 6, 1876. Died Oct 28, 1946.
George C. Jenkins, born Aug 29, 1867. Died Oct 6, 1953.
Viola Edna Jenkins, born Jan 7, 1906. Died Nov 20, 1921.

 Unknown and broken, stacked under a tree.

 William Joseph Pearse, Nov 5, 1867-Oct 20, 1966.
Cora Margaret Jenkins. Nov 1, 1894-Oct 5, 1965

Clodd, first names and dates unknown.

 Margaret E. Ormewood, Nov 26, 1890-Mar 16, 1990.
Charles Gates, Aug 1, 1896-April 8, 1982.
M. Fern, Infant. 1924.
E. Roy Gates, Sept 25, 1917-May 4, 1960.
Dorothy Platt, July 7, 1920-Feb 13, 2006.

 John B. Ormeod, 1846-1927
Sarah Taylor, 1849-1938
Joseph Ormerod, 1876-1976.
Alice Savoy, 1898-1990.

Joseph, 1923-1924.
Ina, 1917-1918.

 Sidney Beare, died March 24, 1909. Aged 41 years
Susanna Atkinson, died March 6, 1923. Aged 53 years.
Herman George, Jan 26, 1901-Nov 20, 1992. Son of Sidney and Susanna Beare.
Jessie Viola Beare, Nov 16, 1898-Oct 31, 1977. Daughter of Sidney and Susanna Beare.

 John Miller, 1867-1945.
Elizabeth Martin, died 1958.
John Howard Miller, 1907-1923.
Russell Munro Miller, Feb 20, 1911-Sept 18, 1998.
Ruth Gloria Wallace, Aug 25, 1924-May 7, 2005.

 Corporal Clarence W. Wallace, died Dec 5, 1995. Aged 81 years.
Jean Eva Wallace, March 12, 1924-January 13, 2005.

 Charles Booth, Dec 21, 1855-Feb 26, 1932.
Fannie Clodd, his wife, Dec 28, 1862-May 4, 1951.
Annie E., daughter, Oct 30, 1886-March 30, 1892.
Alice R. Reed, Dec 25, 1899-Dec 29, 1934.
Levi M. Booth, Aug 9, 1898-June 23, 1994.

 Unknown.

 Leonard Thomas, died Jan 11, 1889.

 Daisy C.R. Skell, wife of William Jenkins,1898-1989.
Alfred E, Infant, 1923
Lorien K, Infant, 1942

 Mary V.M. Paskell, Aug 13, 1901-May 1,1902.

 Joslin Doyle, 1895-1952.
Kate Helena 1869-1951.

 John Clarke, 1838-1905.
Mary J. Lennox, his wife, 1840-1906.
Robert Clarke, 1839-1921.
Maria Jane Clarke, wife of James Charters, 1832-1917.

 Amelia Stainton, the wife of James Pearse, died May 2, 1907. Aged 57 years.
James Pearse, died Dec 22, 1915, aged 74 years.

 Peter Gates, 1892-1908.

 Mary
Charles

 Unknown.

 Martha Keel, the wife of John Pearse, died Sept 8, 1895. Aged 71 years.
John Pearse, 1854-1932.
John Pearse, 1832-1881.

 Edwin Daniel Pitcher, May 22, 1947-July 1, 1994.

 Robert A. Collins, Feb 17, 1935-Nov 4, 2007.

 Bertha Ann Ormerod, died May 14, 1915. Aged 45 years.
Peter Gates, her husband, died July 1, 1923. Aged 60 years.

 Peter Reesor,1841-1937.
Susan Whaley, 1847-1928.

E. Naomi Ramer, the wife of Donald Reesor, died Dec 3, 1911. Aged 43 years.
Donald Reesor, died Jan 29, 1938. Aged 70 years.
Ina R. Reesor, Jan 12, 1881-Jan 25, 1893.
P. Archie Reesor, died July 7, 1878. Aged 9 months.

 Janet Tindell, the wife of Sam F. Reesor, died May 21, 1885. Aged 25 years.

 Samuel, son of Samuel and Jannet Pearse, died Feb 7, 1884. Aged 1 year.

 George Pearse, died 1885. Aged 33 years.
Elizabeth Keels, wife of George Pearse.
Unknown Pearse, died Nov 25, 1932.
Unknown Ormerod, died Jan 18, 1947.

 Samuel F. Pearse, May 3, 1857- Nov 25, 1932.

This cemetery has had, for years now, rumours of being haunted. Though this blog is not about ghosts, hauntings, or haunted graveyards I have decided to include some of the stories about paranormal experiences here because I think that it should be included in the history of the cemetery. Whether or not you believe in ghosts.  Many stories include seeing an old caretaker who chases people from the property or seeing him in the windows, which are all boarded up. To me, that sounds like it's made up but who knows? It could be one of the local residents who has gotten sick of kids hanging around the cemetery. There is one home located almost across from it, and it is still occupied. There are also reports of hearing moaning and screaming coming from the cemetery and the surrounding woods, but I would like to point out that the cemetery pretty much backs onto the zoo, which could account for the noises. A yak in heat probably sounds terrifying when you are chilling in a cemetery in the middle of the night!

There are many stories that also simply involve the area, such as the railway tracks on Sewells, right before the auto wreckers, and the Birthday Girl Bridge/Happy Birthday Sue Bridge. Again, whether or not you believe in these things it still adds a bit of history and fun to the area.
I will say that the day I was here the cemetery felt very peaceful and serene. In fact, the cemetery I had visited earlier in the day (Green River Baptsit Church Cemetery)had given me a lot more of the heebie-jeebies than this place did. I will note that as I walked into the cemetery I saw a young coyote on the opposite side of the road, which is no big deal as they live in the area. Just something to keep in mind if you are planning to bring young children or small dogs with you.

Christie's Methodist Cemetery-Scarborough

 I have visited many cemeteries in my day, and while most have been lovely, some very interesting, and some even a little bit creepy, none have even been located in a malls parking lot.

I had no idea this place (the cemetery) existed, which is amazing since I have been coming to this area, and this mall, for the last few years. My husband's mother lives just down the street from this mall.

Christie's Cemetery is located in the parking lot of Bridlewood Mall, just outside the front doors of the Price Chopper. The mall is located on the corner of Warden and Finch, in Scarborough. The cemetery is very well kept, and amazingly hidden away in a tiny group of trees and bushes. The majority of the monuments have been erected into a cairn, but there are a few larger monuments still standing.

Christie’s Methodist Cemetery was founded in the 1840s in the township of Scarborough. The area had once been a densely forested land, but it was cleared and prepared for farming by Josue L’Amoreaux and his sons, a French Huguenot loyalist family. This area is actually still known as L'Amoreaux.

Isaac Christie and his wife Isabella Graeme, both immigrants from Armagh, Ireland, bought the 100-acre lot in 1836 and allowed local Wesleyan Methodists to set up a small wooden church among their fields. They are buried on the property, and their monuments still stand today. The majority of the burials date from the 1880s, but apparently, this site was active until the 1930's. The latest date on any of the current standing stones is 1906.

The original Methodist congregation was absorbed into the United Church of Canada in 1925. At that point, the original church was closed and people attended mass at another church not far from the original, unfortunately, it had a fire and the original church was once again opened up for a few years while repairs were being done. Eventually, the original church building was moved piece by piece to Buttonville in 1938.

Developer Select Properties Ltd. acquired the land in 1974.Many of the graves had been vandalized, and the area neglected in the 40 years since the church had moved to Buttonville. Select Properties tried to have the graves exhumed and moved. Luckily the Board of Trustees and the relatives of those buried in the cemetery protested, and due to Provincial Law at the time the people could not be exhumed without the permission of the next of kin. The trustees suggested that the graves be renovated and maintained in exchange for permission to build and operate the mall. Scarborough Council agreed, and the rest is history.

There was a concern by the project designer that people would be out off by walking by a cemetery prior to doing their shopping, and never want to return. It was even suggested that the cemetery should be called the "Pioneer Memorial Park", but as you can see by the sign, that name didn't stick. Also, from what I've seen online, most people seem to be enthused about the cemetery being there than anything.

 Sarah Jane Jackson, 1856-1906.

 John L.

 John Fletcher, son of Geo and Eliza A. Ley. Died Sept 12. 1881.

 Mary Ann, wife of Nathaniel Battrick. Died April 17, 1861. Aged 49 years.

 Mary Emily, daughter of Geo and Eliza A. Ley. Died 1876.
Clara Henrietta, daughter of Geo and Eliza A Ley.

 John Thomas, son of Henry and Hannah Branton. Died July 19, 1860. Aged 3 months.

 Isabella, wife of Isaac Christie. Died Oct 2, 1871. Aged 74 years.

 John Dix.

 Ann, wife of John Dix. Died Jan 11, 1871. Aged 58 years.

 Isaac Christie.

 James Cleland, died Feb 21, 1855. Aged 33 years.
Thomas Henry, died Jan 11, 1851. Aged 9 days.
Mary Jane,  died May 21, 1855. Aged 1 years.

 Henry Coultas, died Jan 15, 1850. Aged 71 years. A native of England.

 Ann Jebman, wife of George Ley. Died Dec 4, 1881, Aged 81 years.

 George Ley, died Nov 21, 1875. Aged 65 years.

 Mary Cameron, wife of Edwin Snider. Died May 2, 1863. Aged 35 years.

 Permelia, wife of John Roy. Died Jan 10, 1849. Aged 36 years.

 Elizabeth, wife of Hulet Wright. Died March 27, 1856. Aged 55 years.

 Alexander, died Dec 29, 1864.

 Unknown.

Maria Ann, daughter of John and MariaLubbuck. Died April 13, 1861. Aged 8 months.

 Rachel, wife of Joseph Bales. Died May 16, 1867. Aged 35 years.

 Charlotte, the wife of George Simpson, died 1872.

 John M, son of John and Catherine Wright. Died Jan 10, 1876. Aged 3 months.

 Bone, 4 family members but I can't read them.

 Mary Sarah Wright, wife of James Ley. Died June 25, 1885. Aged 38 years.
Elizabeth Ley, died Jan 25, 1886. Aged 49 years.

 John C. Morgan, died Jan 22, 1916. Aged 36 years.

 George Morgan, died Nov 21, 1876. Aged 83 years. A native of Co. Mayo, Ireland.
Jane F, his wife, died Feb 11, 1867. Aged 76 years.

 Eliza, wife of G.R. Thompson. Died Jan 19, 1877. Aged 36 years.
Rachel Christie, wife of Joseph Bales. 1832-1867.
Lavinia, wife of C.P. Thompson. Died Dec 23, 1879. Aged 37 years.
Isaac Christie, 1784-1866.
Isabella, his wife, 1787-1871.

 David Wright, died June 9, 1882. Aged 14 years.
John M. Wright, died June 19, 1882. Aged 2 years.
Florence Wright, died June 26, 1893. Aged 26 days.
Infant Daughter, April 15, 1884.
Mary E. Wright, died June 22, 1882. Aged 5 years.
John M. Wright, died Jan 10. Aged 3 months.

In August 2010, Toronto city council approved the construction of 8 new high rise building, varying from 7 to 20 odd stories on the Bridlewood Mall property. The developers have agreed to maintain the cemetery, and build it into a larger neighbourhood park. As of this date, there has been nothing done on the land to show that these buildings are actually coming, and Bridlewood Mall still seems to be going somewhat strong (really, what mall is still going strong these days?). Apparently, there was a stall when Target came to Canada, as it was going to build in one of the malls vacant stores. However, as we all know, Target did not survive the harsh Canadian atmosphere, so who knows what's stalling it now?