St. Peter’s Cemetery: Settlers’ Monument Blessing and Reception

On October 19, 2025, Nine Ships 1825 will host a special Blessing Ceremony at St. Peter’s Cemetery to honour more than 200 of Peterborough’s earliest settlers. Many were Peter Robinson emigrants and other pioneers whose remains were reburied in a mass grave over 160 years ago—without markers or recognition until now.

The new Settlers Monument, a pink granite fieldstone adorned with copper artwork by local artist Garrett Gilbert, symbolizes both the resilience of the emigrants and the journeys that brought them here. The blessing, led by Father Tom Lynch, will finally provide long-overdue tribute to the men, women, and children who helped lay the foundation of the Peterborough community.

The ceremony is open to the public and will be followed by a reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall.