Roman Catholic Parish Cemetery

The Roman Catholic Parish Cemetery has been designated a Municipal Heritage Site because it has spiritual value. This cemetery, located next to the Rising Sun Loyal Orange Lodge, dates to circa 1799, and was no longer used by 1856. With headstones almost completely eroded by time and weather, this ancient burial ground still commands respect and an air of reverence. Huge markers reveal weathered, elaborate homage’s to those interred in the cemetery grounds, but today they stand precariously among the heaving ground and foliage. A single sign stands near the gateway which simply says, “Heritage Site, Oldest Known Grave Stone, 1802”. The largeness of the headstones and their shapes and designs reveal the importance placed on this cemetery by the Roman Catholic community of 19th century Harbour Grace, and its subsequent designation as a municipal heritage site shows the importance of this cemetery to the present community.