Heritage cemeteries

Forillon National Park

Engraved stories

The human occupation of the Forillon territory can still be partially seen today, revealed by the presence of heritage buildings, collection objects, cultural landscapes, archaeological sites and remains, and burial grounds.

In Forillon National Park, five cemeteries depict the history of settlement on the Forillon peninsula.

St. Matthew’s “Original Cemetery” (Penouille)
St. Peter’s Heritage Cemetery (Petit-Gaspé)
Grande Greve United Church Heritage Cemetery(L’Anse-Saint-Georges)
Saint-Augustin Heritage Cemetery (L’Anse-Saint-Georges)
Indian Cove Heritage Cemetery (L’Anse-aux-Amérindiens)

Locate cemeteries Preserve cemeteries Present cemeteries Visit cemeteries

Locate cemeteries

Situated high up on coastal slopes, these cemeteries overlook the sea, a reminder of the inhabitants’ “sea-oriented” way of life. They illustrate the diversity of origins and religious denominations, as well as the cohabitation and intermingling of pioneer families. Finally, these places bear witness to the funerary and spiritual practices of these communities.

There are at least 410 monuments and grave markers associated with four religious denominations:

Anglican (67%),
Methodist and United Church of Canada (24%),
Catholic (9%).

According to archival documents, the Forillon cemeteries also contain at least 544 burials without additional markers (these markers having probably disappeared over time).

Surprising special features

Jean LeMessurier epitaph. — Epitaph of Jean LeMessurier

Numerous grave markers are of historical interest. Examples include those of Xavier Blanchette and his wife Marie Fournier—original owners of Blanchette House—in the Saint-Augustin Catholic Cemetery; those of Alfred Henry Dolbel and his wife Lucy Ada Gavey—original owners of Dolbel-Roberts House—in the St. Peter’s Anglican Cemetery; and those of Charles D. Esnouf, first lighthouse keeper at Cape Gaspé, and his wife Agnes Skroder, in the cemetery of the Grande Greve United Church in L’Anse-Saint-Gaspé. Peter’s Anglican cemetery; those of Charles D. Esnouf, first keeper of the Cap-Gaspé lighthouse, and his wife Agnes Skroder, in the cemetery of the Grande Greve United Church in L’Anse-Saint-Georges.

The oldest grave marker is that of Jean LeMessurier, son of Nicolas, a native of Guernsey, who died in 1838. The epitaph, located in the Indian Cove Heritage Cemetery (L’Anse-aux-Amérindiens), reads “First body buried in this cemetery.”

Preserve cemeteries

Over the years, the families of the deceased and Parks Canada have maintained these spaces and grave markers to the best of their knowledge and ability. Today, this funerary heritage is under threat. In addition to the current causes of deterioration of these funerary monuments, the impacts of climate change are likely to be a major factor over the next few years.

Anticipated impacts include: increased stone cracking and splintering due to freeze-thaw conditions; monument erosion accentuated by heavy precipitation; stone detachment caused by the weight of snow and soil compaction; breakage caused by falling branches during storms or high winds; and shrinkage of the strip of land protecting the cemetery from the sea due to coastal erosion.

Better understanding for better conservation

With this in mind, Parks Canada is stepping in to help document and conserve these important commemorative sites to the best of its ability. Since 2021, both preventive and curative work has been carried out under the guidance of conservation experts: georadar surveys by archaeologists, monument stabilization and repair, cleaning, removal of moss, lichen, mold, etc.

Employees cleaning monuments in a cemetery — Members of the conservation team clean grave markers at the Indian Cove Methodist Cemetery in Indian Cove (L’Anse-aux-Amérindiens).

Employees in a cemetery with a georadar — Parks Canada archaeologists survey the grounds of St. Matthew’s Anglican Cemetery (Penouille) using a georadar.

Tombstone with moss and pollutants. — Over time, mold, moss, lichen and other pollutants accumulate on monuments, compromising their physical and commemorative integrity.

Cleaned tombstone where we can read information on the buried woman. — To protect their heritage value, we apply a biodegradable masonry cleaner. The result is remarkable!

Present cemeteries

While there are many challenges, documentation and conservation efforts continue, in consultation, where possible, with representatives of the families and communities concerned. Among the last traces of human occupation in many areas of Forillon, these spaces remain significant elements of the cultural landscape and living places of memory, helping to maintain links between communities that are now dispersed.

Heritage cemeteries are attracting more and more visitors. These peaceful, often green spaces offer a setting for meditation and contemplation. Accessible to all, old cemeteries can be visited like open-air museums, outdoor archive repositories, landscaped gardens conducive to rest, reflection and remembrance. Some seek out their ancestors, others want to learn more about local history or simply relax in silence.

A site for learning

In July and August, guide-interpreters accompany visitors to the site of St. Peter’s Church, a jewel of Forillon’s cultural heritage. They tell the story of the Anglican community that built this place of worship and highlight its unique architectural features.

More information on interpretation activities at Forillon National Park

We would like to thank the Association of Persons Expropriated from Forillon and their Descendants, as well as the various communities historically associated with these cemeteries, for their invaluable collaboration.

Monuments in a cemetery

Some gravestones are true works of art.

Visit cemeteries

Since May 2025, visitors to these burial sites will have encountered interpretive panels on their history. Visitors can learn about the different faiths and origins of the deceased. There is also an invitation to respect the character of these places: “In this sacred place, please move around calmly, in silence, and respect the privacy of visitors who come to meditate.”

Tombstones.

St. Matthew’s “Original Cemetery”

Religious denomination: Anglican

Consecration: 1889

The existence of St. Matthew’s “original cemetery” in the Penouille / Peninsula landscape is linked to St. Matthew’s Church and the “new” cemetery, located north of Forillon Boulevard.

It recognizes the settlement in the 19th century for an Anglican community on the southern shore of the Forillon peninsula in the 19th century. The epitaphs bear witness to the surnames of the founding families of Péninsule / Peninsula, including the Annetts, Ascahs, Coffins, Millers, Mullins and Phillips.

Aerial view of an Anglican church and its cemetery.

St. Peter’s Heritage Cemetery

Religious denomination: Anglican

Consecration: 1859

The existence of St. Peter’s Church and cemetery on the Petit-Gaspé landscape recognizes the settlement in the 19th century of an Anglican community on the southern shore of the Forillon peninsula in the 19th century.

The epitaphs bear witness to the surnames of families who once inhabited the area, including the Bartlett, Dolbel, Gavey, Hotton and Roberts families, who once owned houses and farm outbuildings that remain today in the Grande-Grave area.

Tombstones in a Methodist cemetery.

Grande-Greve United Church Heritage Cemetery

Religious denomination: Methodist, then United Church of Canada from 1925

Consecration: Unknown

The existence of this cemetery in L’Anse-Saint-Georges recognizes the settlement in the 19th century of a Methodist community on the southern shore of the Forillon peninsula in the 19th century. The epitaphs bear witness to the surnames of families who once inhabited this territory, including the Esnouf, Langlois, Minchinton and Simon families.

Families of Anglo-Norman origin who settled on the Forillon peninsula in 1817 were one of the pioneering branches of the Methodist movement in Quebec, and indeed in Canada.

Catholic cemetery with tombstone and a monument of the Christ on his cross.

Saint-Augustin Heritage Cemetery

Religious denomination: Catholic

Consecration: Circa 1850

This cemetery recognizes the establishment in the early 19th century of a Catholic community on the southern shore of the Forillon peninsula in the early 19th century. The first Catholic chapel was built in L’Anse-Saint-Georges around 1800 by Augustin Lehouiller. It was dedicated to Saint Augustine.

The cemetery’s epitaphs bear witness to the settlement, cohabitation and intermingling of French-speaking (Blanchette, Boulet, Leduc, Lemieux, Langlais, etc.) and English-speaking (Roberts, Shaw, Smith, etc.) Catholic families over the years.

Aeriel view of a cemetery near the Gaspé bay.

Indian Cove Heritage Cemetery

Consecration: Circa 1835

This cemetery at L’Anse-aux-Amérindiens (known as Indian Cove at the time) recognizes the settlement in the 19th century of a Methodist community on the southern shore of the Forillon peninsula in the 19th century. The epitaphs bear the surnames of families who once inhabited this territory, including the Bichards, Bourgaize, Langlois, Lenfestey, Le Messurier (LeMesurier), Roberts and Simon.