Mysteries abound in a sad story concerning vandalism in a once-Presbyterian cemetery in southern Ontario. In mid-summer, vandals toppled 31 headstones in Primrose Presbyterian Cemetery and two other closed cemeteries. No one knows who the perpetrators are, but neither does anyone seem to know who even holds the deed to the property – and therefore, the repair bill.
It could cost as much as $15,000 to repair the broken monuments in the cemetery in Ontario's Mulmur Township. Only one of the aging headstones was left standing. Many broke when they were tipped over. The other two damaged cemeteries belong to the township, which is responsible for repairing any damage. But who is responsible for Primrose?
When the rural congregation voted to join the United Church in 1925, the building was sold shortly after, and has long since disappeared. Morley Brown, whose relatives are buried in the cemetery and who maintains the property along with another local family, said the United Church has yet to determine its role in the matter. The Presbyterian Church has no record of the cemetery.
Brown said churches should have insurance to cover such costs. "Vandalism like this is not an isolated incident," he said.
Individual congregations handle their own insurance, however, and any coverage of a cemetery would fall under this (and not under the national church). Stephen Roche, chief financial officer of the Presbyterian Church, said usually if the property is owned by a congregation and named as such in the church's insurance policy, vandalism would be covered under general liability. Since the Primrose cemetery is no longer tied to a congregation, it would seem there is no insurance coverage.
Snider, a councillor at the township and member of its cemetery committee, said the committee has agreed to pay for some of the needed repair. "The cemetery used to be in beautiful shape," she said. "We're at least getting some of the stones upright again." – AM
