New Fence for the Tolomato Cemetery

New Fence for the Tolomato Cemetery

By: Raphael Cosme
Special to Historic City News

Historic City News readers are invited to tour one of St Augustine’s unique historical sites, the Tolomato Cemetery on Cordova Street downtown, and to participate in the kick-off of their fundraiser, “Hate the Fence”.

The special, free opening will be a whole-day event held this Saturday, September 20th

“It is time to look more historical for the St. Augustine 450th celebration”, said Elizabeth Duran, president of the Tolomato Cemetery Preservation Association. “We’ll have the public unveiling of plans for a restored and renovated gate and fence made by local architect, Donald Crichlow, as well as a plan from the 1940’s.”

Tolomato Cemetery was used as the parish cemetery in the 18th century. Today, it is still owned by the Cathedral Parish of the Diocese of St Augustine.

The non-profit organization, Tolomato Cemetery Preservation Association, was formed in 2010 to carry on most of the maintenance and preservation. Recently there was a fundraising for the chapel restoration and at that time Father Felix Varela’s crypt was fixed.

Duran said, “the organization goals is the preservation work and opening the cemetery to the public the third Saturday of each month because it’s been closed since the end of the 19th century. The last fundraising raised about $5,000 in donations to the cemetery through many years.

There was an empty crypt at the center hall of the chapel in very bad conditions, and the chapel’s floor was terracotta from the 1970’s and it was replaced it; The wood’s altar that was commissioned by the Cubans when father Varela died was restored. This coming Saturday’s event we are going to have different levels of fundraising, the cost of the project is between $80,000 to $100,000 dollars, people can support the fence by the inches, for example for one inch is $10.00 for a $100 donation people can support 12 inches and all of the names of donors will be put in a time capsule and later we will announce a dedication ceremony for the benefactors as well the money collected”.

On this festive Open Day, Saturday from 11 to 3 pm there will be music, special presentations, refreshments and of course, they will have docents ready to answer questions about the Tolomato Cemetery, but most important, the board will unveil to the public the renovation plans of the gate and fence.

For more information about the Tolomato Cemetery Preservation Association contact Elizabeth Duran 904-257-3273.