The Mystery of the Ol’ Cemetery’s big, wooden cross!

Have you ever visited the original Holy Name of Mary (then called St. Mary’s) cemetery, on Ramsay Concession 12, at the March Rd?

If genealogical research isn’t your thing and you didn’t know there were graves nestled behind the maples and cedars on Concession 12, you’d miss this gem for sure! Barely a kilometre and a half from the roundabout, this venerable place of repose could be the best kept secret in Almonte!   

Some (read “many”) years ago Perry Clement (the grandfather of parishioner Sharron Pottle) built this large 12-foot wooden cross and installed it on the cemetery grounds. The story goes that the late Eddie Kennedy (d. 2012) was the one that covered the original wooden cross. He used aluminum from an old thrashing mill to wrap the wooden cross and give it the distinctive silver tint. 

This labour of love and expression of faith was done with the help of parishioner Terry G. It was Terry who helped shuttle the cross from the Cemetery to Eddie’s farm and back to the Cemetery. He has been cutting the grass at the cemetery for many years and still keeps the area looking wonderful!

A group of seven volunteers was responsible for creating the gravel pathway and placing a bench beside the cross for a visitor to spend a prayerful minute in silence.

Can you add or correct any part of this story? Please let us know so we can keep our Parish history vibrant for the next generations. Contact the office@hnomalmonte.ca.