Elmira Union Cemetery CC#4578

Town of Elmira,  Part of Lot 89, G.C.T., Woolwich Township

Elmira  Union Cemetery is a municipal burying ground  located  on  part  of lot 89, German Company Tract, Woolwich Township.  It  is  easily found just on the eastern edge of the town on road 86. The  history  of  the cemetery is unclear, as  nothing  has  been  written  about it. The first burial was in 1863, and  it  appears
that it came into being in response to a need for a  non-Lutheran  burying ground in the village. At some later date, after a stated  need  for  a municipally-run cemetery, it was taken over  by  the village. It is now run by the Township of Woolwich.

A good map of the cemetery exists, showing that it is laid out in  a strict grid pattern. The map includes names of plot owners, but  is  too detailed to be reproduced in this publication. It can  be seen  at the township office, and a copy is in the hands  of  the  Waterloo Wellington Branch Cemetery Coordinator.

The land was purchased by the West Woolwich branch of the Mennonite Church in 1854 for a meeting house and burying ground.   The church is currently being used by both the West Woolwich and the Markham-Waterloo Conferences of the Mennonite Church.  The brick church next door was built in 1924 by Floradale congregation and all three groups use the cemetery. Others in the community also were buried there, especially in the early years.

The first burial is said to be that of a child, David Foell who died May 21,1855.

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