Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch
Encyclopedia
Linwood Cemetery is a cemetery located in Linwood
, Christchurch
, New Zealand. It is the fifth oldest cemetery in the city that still exists and it is virtually full. Opened in 1884, it has seen some 20,000 burials. The first burial, of the Sexton
's wife, was held even before the cemetery was opened. For some years, a tram line terminated within the cemetery (with the rails still visible today), but the tram hearse that Christchurch City Council
had built is believed to have never been used. The human remains from the Jewish Cemetery in Hereford Street were relocated to Linwood Cemetery after the Jewish congregation sold the land of their earlier burial ground. After the removal of the Sexton's house in the 1980s, the cemetery was subject to neglect and vandalism. The Friends of the Linwood Cemetery, a charitable trust, was formed to conserve and maintain the heritage, and the Christchurch City Council has a conservation plan in place.
Linwood Cemetery is the resting place of a large number of notable residents. Those buried at Linwood Cemetery include 13 Christchurch mayors
, several Members of Parliament
, bishops and ministers, and the Peacock family
whose philanthropy included the iconic Peacock Fountain
in the Botanic Gardens
.
and Woodlawns (which includes Bromley Crematorium). Both are often incorrectly called Linwood Cemetery because of their locations off Linwood Avenue.
. The area where the cemetery was built was originally lupin covered sand dunes well outside the city and near the Corporation rubbish dump. The land came under the jurisdiction of the Linwood Town Board which didn't amalgamate with the City until 1903.
The first person buried in the cemetery was Sarah Freeman (Block 2 Plot 1), which is all the more significant as she was the Sexton's wife, and died in July 1884 whilst the cemetery was still being prepared. The funeral on 10 July was attended by the Mayor of Christchurch
, Charles Hulbert, and several councillors.
After a lengthy debate, Linwood Cemetery was connected to the Christchurch tramway system
. Approval for construction of the line was given in April 1885. Construction began on 26 November 1885 at Latimer Square and was completed by March 1886. The line was officially opened on 23 April 1886. Initially, it was the 'end of the line' from the city centre and people had to walk across or around the cemetery to connect with the tram line to New Brighton
, which was run by a different company. By January 1887, the two lines had been connected. The city council had a tram hearse built for up to four coffins, with the intention of providing cheaper form of transport to the cemetery than what funeral directors would charge. The scheme was a failure and it is believed that the tram hearse was never used. In 1888, a council committee recommended that the rails into the cemetery be removed again and used elsewhere, but this was never acted on, and the rails, although sealed over, are still faintly visible. The tram hearse was bought by Samuel Paull Andrews
for £3 and used as an explosives store in his St Andrew's Hill quarry. It is possibly that Linwood Cemetery is the only one in the world to have had a tram line.
Members of the Canterbury Hebrew Congregation had purchased land in Hereford Street (in the section between Fitzgerald Avenue and Stanmore Road) for a Jewish cemetery. Between 1865 and 1890, 34 burials took place. The new Linwood Cemetery had a Jewish section, and the Hereford Street cemetery fell into disuse. By 1924, it looked "unsightly" and the Jewish congregation decided to shift the human remains to the Linwood Cemetery and sell the land. A legal issue stopped a land sale from going ahead and it required the passing of the Canterbury Jewish Cemetery Empowering Act 1943 to progress the issue. The remains were re-interred at Linwood Cemetery and a memorial marks the location with the following words: "Here repose the remains of the following that were removed from the Hereford Street Jewish Cemetery"
In 2005/06 a conservation plan was developed by the Christchurch City Council
in order to evaluate the heritage value of Linwood Cemetery. As well as identifying Linwood Cemetery as of valuable heritage and green space value, the conservation plan describes the priorities and processes required to conserve the cemetery. The conservation plan is due to be revised in the near future.
A Sexton lived in a house in Linwood Cemetery until the early 1980s. From the late 1980s through to 1999, the cemetery fell into disrepair and nobody was looking after it, and vandalism was occurring. Since then, following a public meeting, a small group of local volunteers are doing their best to keep Linwood Cemetery tidy and promote its value as a much needed green space and heritage site.
The Friends of Linwood Cemetery Charitable Trust continue to research the history of Linwood Cemetery and undertake conservation work. The original research was carried out by local historian Richard Greenaway and can be found in Linwood Cemetery Tour.
The cemetery is virtually full, with further burials possible in the children's, ashes, and Jewish sections only.
in November 2006. The trust's vision is to "conserve and maintain the heritage of the Linwood Cemetery for future generations." The Friends of Linwood Cemetery Charitable Trust organise regular working bees at the cemetery, record the condition of graves, record information about the cemetery and those buried in it on its own website, publicise the cemetery through articles and events and raise funds for projects to help preserve valuable heritage aspects of the cemetery.
in the Botanical Gardens. Many original settlers from the First Four Ships are buried here. 54 True War Graves and memorials to over 280 ANZACs are found at Linwood Cemetery. Linwood Cemetery is important not only for its notable person graves, but that everyone buried there is significant to the development of the Christchurch and New Zealand we know today.
Notable individuals include:
The following former Mayors of Christchurch
, are buried at Linwood Cemetery:
Linwood, New Zealand
Linwood is an inner suburb of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It lies to the East of the city centre, mostly between Ferry Road and Linwood Avenue, two of the major arterial roads to the Eastern suburbs of Christchurch.-History:...
, Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand. It is the fifth oldest cemetery in the city that still exists and it is virtually full. Opened in 1884, it has seen some 20,000 burials. The first burial, of the Sexton
Sexton (office)
A sexton is a church, congregation or synagogue officer charged with the maintenance of its buildings and/or the surrounding graveyard. In smaller places of worship, this office is often combined with that of verger...
's wife, was held even before the cemetery was opened. For some years, a tram line terminated within the cemetery (with the rails still visible today), but the tram hearse that Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
had built is believed to have never been used. The human remains from the Jewish Cemetery in Hereford Street were relocated to Linwood Cemetery after the Jewish congregation sold the land of their earlier burial ground. After the removal of the Sexton's house in the 1980s, the cemetery was subject to neglect and vandalism. The Friends of the Linwood Cemetery, a charitable trust, was formed to conserve and maintain the heritage, and the Christchurch City Council has a conservation plan in place.
Linwood Cemetery is the resting place of a large number of notable residents. Those buried at Linwood Cemetery include 13 Christchurch mayors
Mayor of Christchurch
The Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
, several Members of Parliament
Parliament of New Zealand
The Parliament of New Zealand consists of the Queen of New Zealand and the New Zealand House of Representatives and, until 1951, the New Zealand Legislative Council. The House of Representatives is often referred to as "Parliament".The House of Representatives usually consists of 120 Members of...
, bishops and ministers, and the Peacock family
John Thomas Peacock
John Thomas Peacock MLC JP was a New Zealand businessman, philanthropist and politician. He came to Canterbury in 1844, several years before organised settlement started.-Early life:...
whose philanthropy included the iconic Peacock Fountain
Peacock Fountain
The Peacock Fountain was bought by the Christchurch Beautifying Society from money bequeathed by John Thomas Peacock, a trader, politician and philanthropist. The fountain was unveiled in 1911, moved to a new location some years later, and put into storage in 1949. After a $270,000 renovation, it...
in the Botanic Gardens
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
The Christchurch Botanic Gardens, located in the central city of Christchurch, New Zealand are botanical gardens founded in 1863, when an English oak was planted on 9 July 1863 to commemorate the solemnisation of marriage between Prince Albert and Princess Alexandra of Denmark.The Gardens sprawl...
.
Location
Linwood Cemetery is located in Butterfield Avenue, behind Bromley Park (off Buckley's Road), Christchurch, and is connected to the city centre and New Brighton by bus routes 5 (Hornby to New Brighton and Southshore), 23 (Hyde Park to Woolston) and 40 (Middleton to Wainoni). There are a number of other cemeteries in this area, including the Bromley CemeteryBromley Cemetery, Christchurch
Bromley Cemetery is a cemetery in Christchurch, New Zealand. It occupies approximately 10 hectares to the east of the city centre, on the corner of Keighleys Road and Linwood Avenue...
and Woodlawns (which includes Bromley Crematorium). Both are often incorrectly called Linwood Cemetery because of their locations off Linwood Avenue.
History
Linwood Cemetery is the fifth oldest surviving cemetery in Christchurch. It was opened in October 1884 as a response to concerns about the health implications of burying people in the inner cityChristchurch Central City
Christchurch Central City is the geographical centre and the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. It is defined as the area within the four avenues and thus includes the densely built up central city, some less dense surrounding areas of residential, educational and industrial usage, and green...
. The area where the cemetery was built was originally lupin covered sand dunes well outside the city and near the Corporation rubbish dump. The land came under the jurisdiction of the Linwood Town Board which didn't amalgamate with the City until 1903.
The first person buried in the cemetery was Sarah Freeman (Block 2 Plot 1), which is all the more significant as she was the Sexton's wife, and died in July 1884 whilst the cemetery was still being prepared. The funeral on 10 July was attended by the Mayor of Christchurch
Mayor of Christchurch
The Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
, Charles Hulbert, and several councillors.
After a lengthy debate, Linwood Cemetery was connected to the Christchurch tramway system
Christchurch tramway system
The Christchurch tramway system was an extensive network in Christchurch, New Zealand, with steam and horse trams from 1882. Electric trams ran from 1905 to 1954, when the last line to Papanui was replaced by buses...
. Approval for construction of the line was given in April 1885. Construction began on 26 November 1885 at Latimer Square and was completed by March 1886. The line was officially opened on 23 April 1886. Initially, it was the 'end of the line' from the city centre and people had to walk across or around the cemetery to connect with the tram line to New Brighton
New Brighton, New Zealand
New Brighton is a coastal suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, about to the east of the city centre.-Naming:The naming of New Brighton was apparently done on a 'spur of moment' decision by William Fee, an early settler of the area...
, which was run by a different company. By January 1887, the two lines had been connected. The city council had a tram hearse built for up to four coffins, with the intention of providing cheaper form of transport to the cemetery than what funeral directors would charge. The scheme was a failure and it is believed that the tram hearse was never used. In 1888, a council committee recommended that the rails into the cemetery be removed again and used elsewhere, but this was never acted on, and the rails, although sealed over, are still faintly visible. The tram hearse was bought by Samuel Paull Andrews
Samuel Paull Andrews
Samuel Paull Andrews was a 19th century politician in Christchurch, New Zealand. Originally from the Isle of Wight, he was the first working class man to become a Member of Parliament in his chosen country.-Early life:...
for £3 and used as an explosives store in his St Andrew's Hill quarry. It is possibly that Linwood Cemetery is the only one in the world to have had a tram line.
Members of the Canterbury Hebrew Congregation had purchased land in Hereford Street (in the section between Fitzgerald Avenue and Stanmore Road) for a Jewish cemetery. Between 1865 and 1890, 34 burials took place. The new Linwood Cemetery had a Jewish section, and the Hereford Street cemetery fell into disuse. By 1924, it looked "unsightly" and the Jewish congregation decided to shift the human remains to the Linwood Cemetery and sell the land. A legal issue stopped a land sale from going ahead and it required the passing of the Canterbury Jewish Cemetery Empowering Act 1943 to progress the issue. The remains were re-interred at Linwood Cemetery and a memorial marks the location with the following words: "Here repose the remains of the following that were removed from the Hereford Street Jewish Cemetery"
In 2005/06 a conservation plan was developed by the Christchurch City Council
Christchurch City Council
The Christchurch City Council is the local government authority for Christchurch in New Zealand. It is a territorial authority elected to represent the people of Christchurch. Since 2007, the Mayor of Christchurch is Bob Parker, who stood as an independent candidate...
in order to evaluate the heritage value of Linwood Cemetery. As well as identifying Linwood Cemetery as of valuable heritage and green space value, the conservation plan describes the priorities and processes required to conserve the cemetery. The conservation plan is due to be revised in the near future.
A Sexton lived in a house in Linwood Cemetery until the early 1980s. From the late 1980s through to 1999, the cemetery fell into disrepair and nobody was looking after it, and vandalism was occurring. Since then, following a public meeting, a small group of local volunteers are doing their best to keep Linwood Cemetery tidy and promote its value as a much needed green space and heritage site.
The Friends of Linwood Cemetery Charitable Trust continue to research the history of Linwood Cemetery and undertake conservation work. The original research was carried out by local historian Richard Greenaway and can be found in Linwood Cemetery Tour.
The cemetery is virtually full, with further burials possible in the children's, ashes, and Jewish sections only.
The Friends of the Linwood Cemetery
Following recommendations in the conservation plan for Linwood Cemetery, local residents tidying and gardening Linwood Cemetery formed a charitable trustCharitable trust
A charitable trust is an irrevocable trust established for charitable purposes, and is a more specific term than "charitable organization".-United States:...
in November 2006. The trust's vision is to "conserve and maintain the heritage of the Linwood Cemetery for future generations." The Friends of Linwood Cemetery Charitable Trust organise regular working bees at the cemetery, record the condition of graves, record information about the cemetery and those buried in it on its own website, publicise the cemetery through articles and events and raise funds for projects to help preserve valuable heritage aspects of the cemetery.
Notable burials
Those buried at Linwood Cemetery include at least thirteen Christchurch mayors (see below), several Members of Parliament, bishops and ministers, and the Peacock family whose philanthropy included the iconic Peacock FountainPeacock Fountain
The Peacock Fountain was bought by the Christchurch Beautifying Society from money bequeathed by John Thomas Peacock, a trader, politician and philanthropist. The fountain was unveiled in 1911, moved to a new location some years later, and put into storage in 1949. After a $270,000 renovation, it...
in the Botanical Gardens. Many original settlers from the First Four Ships are buried here. 54 True War Graves and memorials to over 280 ANZACs are found at Linwood Cemetery. Linwood Cemetery is important not only for its notable person graves, but that everyone buried there is significant to the development of the Christchurch and New Zealand we know today.
Notable individuals include:
- Arthur Dudley DobsonArthur Dudley DobsonSir Arthur Dudley Dobson was a pioneer surveyor, engineer and explorer. Born in London, he came to Lyttelton, New Zealand in 1850 on one of the First Four Ships. He is best known for taking the first party of Europeans over Arthur's Pass.-Early life:Arthur Dudley Dobson was born in Islington,...
(9 September 1841 – 5 March 1934), pioneer surveyor, engineer, explorer and after whom Arthur's Pass is named - Thomas Edmonds (1858 – 2 June 1932), manufacturer of 'Sure To Rise" baking powder and publisher of New Zealand's best selling book, the Edmonds Cookery Book
- Churchill JuliusChurchill JuliusChurchill Julius was an Anglican cleric in England, then in Australia and New Zealand, becoming the first Archbishop of New Zealand.-Biography:...
(15 October 1847 – 1 September 1938), second Anglican Bishop of Christchurch - Robert Ewing McDougall (ca 1861 – 21 February 1942), benefactor of the original Christchurch Art Gallery
- John Thomas PeacockJohn Thomas PeacockJohn Thomas Peacock MLC JP was a New Zealand businessman, philanthropist and politician. He came to Canterbury in 1844, several years before organised settlement started.-Early life:...
(1827 – 20 October 1905), businessman, philanthropist and politician
The following former Mayors of Christchurch
Mayor of Christchurch
The Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
, are buried at Linwood Cemetery:
- Aaron Ayers (1836 – 15 September 1900), 14th Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
- James Gapes (1822 – 22 October 1899), 9th Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
- Thomas Gapes (1848 – 16 April 1913), 20th Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
- Charles Mathew Gray (1853 – 11 June 1918), 17th Mayor of Christchurch and Member of Parliament
- Henry HollandHenry Holland (mayor)Henry Holland, CBE was a New Zealand politician of the Reform Party, and Mayor of Christchurch from 1912 to 1919.-Member of Parliament:...
(7 December 1859 – 29 December 1944), 31st Mayor of Christchurch and Member of Parliament - Charles Hulbert (25 August 1841 – 22 June 1926), 13th Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
- James Jameson (5 April 1824 – 6 September 1896), 4th Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
- Charles LouissonCharles LouissonCharles Melville Louisson , known as Charles Louisson or Chas Louisson, was a New Zealand politician. Born in London, and relocated to Australia as a teenager, he worked in farming and on the gold fields...
(1842 – 19 April 1924), 15th Mayor of Christchurch and MLCNew Zealand Legislative CouncilThe Legislative Council of New Zealand was the upper house of the New Zealand Parliament from 1853 until 1951. Unlike the lower house, the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Legislative Council was appointed.-Role:... - George Payling, 27th Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
- William Prudhoe (1832 – 29 April 1908), 18th Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
- William Reece (1856 – 17 July 1930), 23rd Mayor of ChristchurchMayor of ChristchurchThe Mayor of Christchurch is the head of the municipal government of Christchurch, New Zealand, and presides over the Christchurch City Council. The mayor is directly elected using a First Past the Post electoral system...
- Henry Thomson (1828 – 13 September 1903), 10th Mayor of Christchurch and Member of Parliament
- William WilsonWilliam Wilson (mayor)William Barbour Wilson , also known as "Cabbage" Wilson, was the first Mayor of Christchurch in New Zealand in 1868.-Early life:...
(2 April 1819 – 8 November 1897), 1st Mayor of Christchurch