Our History
Colchester Cemetery has existed for over twelve decades as a rural cemetery located in Strathcona County, Alberta. The one-acre site was originally sanctified as part of the Calgary Diocese by the Anglican Bishop of Rupert’s Land in 1898. Three years later, the Anglican parish of St. Stephen’s was erected on the site.
In 1913, the Calgary Diocese was divided into two parts. The Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton was created and formally incorporated by the Alberta Legislature in 1914. Colchester Cemetery land became the property and responsibility of the Edmonton Diocese. The following year, the Diocese decided to physically relocate St. Stephen’s church structure to South Edmonton where it was renamed the First Church of St. John the Evangelist. The vacated Colchester church land and cemetery was soon neglected, falling into disuse and disrepair.
Current legislation (Alberta Cemeteries Act (RSA 2000)), states that “The owner of a cemetery shall keep the cemetery in the manner required by the regulations and in good order and repair.” In 1985, the Diocese of Edmonton acknowledged its ownership of Colchester Cemetery but was not in a position to take on responsibilities of administration and operations. In 1988, the Anglican parish of St. Thomas (located in the nearby hamlet of Sherwood Park), agreed to assume full responsibility for cemetery burials, upkeep, administration, and operations.
An unincorporated, volunteer-led, Colchester Cemetery Committee was created to look after cemetery operations. Faced with few accurate historical burial records and information on occupied plots in the oldest section of the cemetery, the Committee created a new cemetery plot grid plan and disallowed any further burials in the old section. New land markers were laid out to ensure the effectiveness and accurate records of future burials.
Vision
To be a cemetery with a country appearance and pastoral ambience; To preserve the history of the cemetery and the memories of those who are interred there.
Mission
To support families and others in difficult times by providing a final resting place for loved ones’ remains to lie in peace and to be remembered. As a not-for-profit and volunteer-run operation, Colchester Cemetery offers modestly-priced interment options while maintaining financial sustainability;
Values
To respect the dignity of the deceased. To provide loved ones’ families and friends, cemetery services with Christian compassion, honesty, integrity and ethical behavior;
