Concerns Grow Over Cemetery Conditions at Richmond Hill Church

A church in Richmond Hill is facing scrutiny once again regarding the cemetery it manages.

Both the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, which oversees licensed cemeteries across the province, and the City of Richmond Hill have announced they are looking into the state of the Orthodox Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God, previously known as Headford United Church, located on Leslie Street in Richmond Hill.

Along the northern side of the cemetery, there are four stacks of gravestones – some clearly damaged – with grass stripped away around them. Shrubs have been removed, leaving mounds of dirt along the cemetery’s edges. Additionally, work has closed off parts of the parking lot and a large dumpster is now situated at one end.

The excavation in the parking area raises particular concern for Joyce Horner, a local historian and former member of Richmond Hill’s heritage committee, who fears that unmarked graves for those without family might have been disturbed.

“It’s devastating,” Horner said. “This is part of Richmond Hill’s heritage. These are all my friends and neighbours buried here.”

Richmond Hill Coun. Karen Cilevitz, who chairs the heritage committee, says she was ‘horrified’ when she saw construction happening at this historical site. (Mike Smee/CBC)

Horner played a key role in securing heritage designation for both the old Headford United Church and its nearby cemetery, established in the mid-1800s, under Ontario’s Heritage Act back in the late 1990s. This designation means that significant alterations or demolitions can’t happen without special permission from local authorities.

If changes are made to a designated heritage site without approval from municipal officials, fines can reach up to $1 million. The property owner may also be required to restore it to its original condition.

The specific reasons behind why the bereavement authority is currently involved with this church remain unclear. Communications director David Brazeau informed CBC Toronto that “there are issues with the cemetery’s condition that we are investigating with the municipality.”

City staff from Richmond Hill did not provide any further details about their investigation either.

A representative from the church identified only as Rev. Pavlo mentioned in an email to CBC Toronto that he wasn’t aware of any investigation occurring at their property.

“In response to your request, the Church is not aware of the facts you alleged in your message and, as such, cannot provide any comment at this time,” he stated.

Some tombstones broken and piled near fence

One thing that’s particularly upsetting for Horner is that about 15 years ago; Richmond Hill’s planning committee received funding to refurbish several crumbling tombstones within this cemetery.

“We put some in sleeves – all those bits and pieces – stood them up and tried to piece together what we could,” she explained. It’s uncertain whether those restorations were affected by recent activities on church grounds since some gravestones seem clearly damaged and stacked against a boundary fence.

Local historian Joyce Horner stands by Headford United Church where she noticed ongoing construction work at this historic location and reported her concerns to Coun. Cilevitz who then brought it forward to city officials. (Mike Smee/CBC)

After noticing these developments at mid-November during her visit to church grounds; Horner approached Coun. Karen Cilevitz who leads Richmond Hill’s heritage committee.

“I was absolutely horrified by what I saw,” Cilevitz said. “I couldn’t believe what had been done here – most importantly that those headstones had been removed.”

“This is hallowed ground. This is a cemetery.”

This isn’t their first time facing criticism over burial grounds

This marks another instance since acquiring ownership over two years ago where controversy surrounding how they manage their burial sites has emerged.

In 2022 , they hindered burials for Louis Tsotsos , a man from Toronto whose family owned plots there despite his passing due complications stemming from COVID -19.

Grass areas within parts off parts where grass once grew have also been ripped out leading Horner raise concerns about possibly disturbing unmarked pauper graves amid these changes. ( Mike Smee / CBC )

The Bereavement Authority was involved previously regarding delays faced by Tsotsos’ family when trying secure proper burial arrangements after purchasing plots back 2014 but hadn’t received notification upon transfer ownership occurred.

“It has been very disheartening distressing all us ,” Christina Nastas stated niece Louis Tsotsos commented during earlier challenges regarding securing final resting place uncle saying “we’re unable lay him rest as sits limbo funeral home.”

Taking possession meant no longer having anyone relatives still living close enough keep track previous arrangements ; alongside failures like communication resulted frustration following tragedy affecting them deeply.

Brazeau criticized actions taken stating publicly “it’s quite frankly shameful” adding families shouldn’t endure hardships already grieving lost loved ones suffering additional stress caused ineffective management situations such theirs.

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