Glenwood Cemetery chapel closed as foundation found to be unstable

The chapel at Glenwood Cemetery will be closed to the public and its stained glass windows will be removed this week for preservation and temporary storage after the discovery of structural deficiencies in the building.

The historic designated heritage building, constructed in 1901, will require remediation to its foundation, as well as aspects of the interior of the building.

Sandy Latchford, Chair of the Board of Directors, said engineering firm J.T. Donald Consultants Ltd. was retained to conduct a geotechnical investigation at the site.

“The results are troubling,” said Latchford. “The rubble stone foundation is sitting on loose, unstable fill soils and inadequate drainage is creating issues with the integrity of the building. The board has decided to have the stained glass windows removed and safely stored while we evaluate the best course of action.”

The stained glass windows are unusual in that they were commissioned by several fraternal organizations including the Independent Order of Foresters and the Prince Edward Lodge No. 18 Freemasons.

The history of the local Masonic Lodge is closely linked with Glenwood. When the cemetery’s stone chapel was constructed in 1901, Masons decided to donate a large stained glass window in memory of their departed brethren. The payment for the memorial window was made by a bank draft of $75  on Feb. 20, 1902, to the N.T. Lyon Glass Company.

Many Masons are buried within Glenwood’s gates, among them William Smeaton, who was believed to be the oldest living Past Master of any Canadian Lodge. At the time of his death in 1937, he was 100 years old.

The window openings are to be temporarily covered with plywood, and local arts organization The Department of Illumination plans to paint the wooden placeholders in creative ways that honour the space.

“The windows are truly treasures of local heritage,” Latchford said. “It’s imperative we keep them safe while inspections and work proceed.”

Glenwood Cemetery, established in 1873 in the heart of Picton, is the resting place of 15,000 people throughout its 62 acres of rolling hills.