You might not think of a graveyard as a place of much activity, but Pine Grove Cemetery on Black River Road is nearly bustling with activity.
The current Board of Pine Grove has been particularly active in the past year, with new initiatives to improve the cemetery’s appearance, with cleanup days that have engaged the public with rakes and shovels, workers assigned to trim the ubiquitous cedar trees, and plans to renovate the grounds for easier access.
Among the projects, and undoubtedly the costliest, is the replacement of the current fencing across the front of the cemetery. Fence work was last undertaken at the cemetery in 1956, so far as we are able to determine, when additional land was purchased and the area of the cemetery expanded to the South.
Some seventy years later, and the stylish fence is in need of replacement. The estimated cost of replacing the fence and two gates (the centre gate will be removed and replaced with a pedestrian entry point) is approximately $50,000.
As of early July, Pine Grove Secretary-Treasurer Elma Thompson says the fund has received more than $18,000 in donations: “This cemetery is not only a resting place for our loved ones but also a historical landmark that reflects the rich heritage of our area. Maintaining the cemetery with the utmost respect and dignity is a responsibility we all share.”
Apart from general donations, patrons may decide to “donate $1000 for the installation of a 10-foot length of fence. Each $1000 donation includes the installation of a memorial plaque on the donated fence section. This plaque can be personalized with the name, dates, and a brief message, allowing you to commemorate a loved one or cherished individual with a memorial plaque. We are calling on the generosity of our community members to make this project a reality. Any donation, large or small, will make a difference.”
Donation Methods
- E-transfer oxfordpinegrove@gmail.com to donate securely.
- By Mail: Send your cheque to Oxford Pine Grove Cemetery, P.O. Box 31, Oxford, NS B0M1P0
- Official tax receipts issued – please add your address to correspondence.
- COME TO OUR JULY 4TH BARBEQUE FUNDRAISER AT THE OXFORD GAZEBO!
Pine Grove Cemetery is perhaps the second-oldest large graveyard in the Oxford area, after the Pioneer Cemetery located behind what is today Trinity United Church (founded as a Methodist place of worship). Situated on Black River Road, Pine Grove Cemetery was established in 1890, with the land initially purchased and the cemetery layout designed by Mr. Henry (Harry) Treen, whose unique headstone was erected upon his death in 1914. Among the restoration efforts planned for the near future are efforts to identify notable headstones such as Treen’s, and improve their appearance and legibility.
A stroll through Pine Grove, as with any cemetery, reveals the diversity of Oxford from its founding through to modern times. Hundreds of stories are waiting to be told… something HelloOxford hopes to do in a forthcoming series.
