History of Bromsgrove Cemetery

In December 1855 a meeting was held in the Town Hall to decide whether a new burial ground should be provided. The vicar, the Reverend Mr Villers was in the chair; the proposal was made by Mr George Dipple and seconded by Mr A. Huxley. A  Burial Board was subsequently set up and in May 1856 it was decided to purchase six acres of glebe land from the Dean and Chapter of Worcester, which had previously been leased to the Baroness Windsor.

The architect chosen was Mr C.H. Cooke of John St., Bedford Row, London. The building work was done by Mr Walker of Evesham and the groundwork by Messrs Cole and Sharpe, for the total sum of just over £2,504. Burials were discontinued in St John's churchyard and in the Baptists', Wesleyans' (Methodists), and Independent burial grounds on 31 December1856. Bromsgrove Cemetery was consecrated by the Bishop of Worcester in January 1858, with many of the local clergy attending. Berrows Journal reported "A number of persons had congregated to witness the ceremony but principally the labouring classes and children".

The Bromsgrove Cemetery Walk

 

The new cemetery was laid out in the latest fashion with paths running mostly at right angles. It was praised by the Journal of Civil Engineers and Architects, 1858. The lodge had extremely striking features in red brick with Bath stone dressing, roofed with red and blue tiles in bands. The lodge was replaced in 1958 but the lych gate remains.