Over 500 burial records from the 1830s — a living archive of Parrsboro's founding families.
The Allenville Cemetery is one of the oldest documented burial grounds in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. Spanning approximately two acres of gently sloping hillside adjacent to the church building, the cemetery contains an estimated 500 to 600 interments dating from the 1830s through to the present day.
The cemetery is laid out in a traditional pattern common to rural Maritime churchyards of the nineteenth century: a central walking path, flanked on both sides by family plots of varying sizes, with the oldest and most historic markers generally found in the eastern section closest to the church building. The western expansion, added in the early twentieth century, reflects a more regularized layout influenced by garden cemetery principles.
The grounds contain a remarkable diversity of funerary monuments — from simple fieldstone markers with hand-incised names, to imposing Gothic revival obelisks commissioned by the most prosperous farming and seafaring families of the 1800s. Many marker stones are crafted from local Nova Scotia slate and sandstone, giving them a distinctive regional character rarely seen in urban cemeteries.
Our volunteer team has digitized over 500 burial records. Submit a search request and we will respond within 10 business days. All searches are provided as a free community service.
The eastern-most section of the cemetery, containing the oldest surviving markers. Several of the original Allen, Blois, and Morrison family plots are found here, some dating to the 1830s.
Dedicated to the men and women of the Allenville district who served in the First and Second World Wars. Marked by a central granite memorial cross erected in 1921.
The central section features impressive Gothic revival obelisks and carved stone monuments commissioned by prosperous farming and seafaring families of the mid-to-late 1800s.
The northern perimeter of the cemetery has been planted with native Nova Scotia wildflowers and heritage roses to enhance the natural character of the grounds.
A dedicated section for the clergy who served the Allenville congregation, including the grave of Rev. James Fulton (1819–1891), the community's first resident minister.
The western expansion, added in the early 20th century, continues to serve as the active burial ground for the Parrsboro community and surrounding area.
The ongoing care of the Allenville Cemetery depends on the generosity of community volunteers. From routine grounds maintenance to more specialized conservation work, there are opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to contribute to the preservation of this irreplaceable heritage site.
We hold organized volunteer days throughout the spring and summer months, and welcome individuals who wish to contribute on their own schedule. All volunteers receive orientation, appropriate tools and materials, and the deep gratitude of the broader community.
