Ever wondered why this seemingly quiet corner of Oxford is called St Sepulchre’s Cemetery? Opened in 1848, St Sepulchre’s Cemetery addressed a pressing need. Oxford’s churchyards were full. Imagine the city’s deceased competing for space.
St Sepulchre’s became the final resting place for parishioners of St Giles, St Michael, St Mary Magdalen plus the district chapelry of St Paul. It was divided into sections for each parish. Neighbors in life remained neighbors in death. This is still visible today.
Before St Sepulchre’s was established, St Paul’s Church served the Jericho area. While the church offered accessible services, it lacked burial space. The dead were buried in the churchyards of St Thomas and St Giles.
Alderman Browning opposed the location of St Sepulchre’s. He argued it merely shifted the problem. Alderman Sadler called the proposed site gravelly and swampy. Despite their objections, the cemetery was established. Now Alderman Browning rests here.
The name St Sepulchre’s means Holy Sepulchre. It is similar to St Cross meaning Holy Cross. It does not refer to a saint.
Originally, the cemetery included a Norman-style chapel designed by H. J. Underwood. Some services were held here. Others began in parish churches. Then a procession led to the interment. Six Oxford colleges used this cemetery as burial ground. They could no longer bury their dead under their chapels.
St Sepulchre’s faced cholera epidemics in 1849 and 1854. At least eleven victims from 1849 are likely buried here. The 1854 outbreak led to 22 deaths. Only one gravestone mentions cholera. But the sexton noted others who died of the disease.
Lack of funds delayed improvements. A lych-gate and a lodge were not built initially. Contributions were sought. The aim was to shelter the living and respect the dead. The lodge was finally built in 1865.
By 1855, the original cemetery was full. Burials were restricted to reserved plots. However, the cemetery was later extended.
In 1887, St Sepulchre’s was described as disgraceful. Bones were reportedly exposed on newer graves. This prompted concern.
Theft was also a problem. People stole flowers from graves. In one instance, laborers stole silk hats from a funeral.
Pressure eased with the opening of municipal cemeteries in 1894. St Sepulchre’s closed for new burials in 1945.
The cemetery chapel was demolished around 1970. It was replaced with a paved area and seating.
In 2004, St Sepulchre’s Cemetery was added to the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. In 2005, the Friends of St Sepulchre’s group formed.
Today St Sepulchre’s stands as a testament to Oxford’s history. It reflects changing burial practices and urban growth. As you wander through this space, remember the lives and stories buried here.