[1] It was established in 1849 by two prominent local businessmen Judah G. Joseph and Abraham Nordheimer (it is uncertain if Joseph is buried here, while Nordheimer died during his trip to Germany in 1862 and is buried at Bamberg Jewish Cemetery[2]).

The location near the corner of Pape (then called Centre Road) and Gerrard was then in still rural areas to the east of the city.

When Toronto Hebrew Congregation, the predecessor to Holy Blossom Temple, was established in 1856, it took over management of the cemetery, and continues to run it today.

The small Pape Avenue Cemetery quickly ran out of room, and it was closed to new burials in the 1930s.

To replace it, Holy Blossom opened a new cemetery further east at 66 Brimley Road in the Cliffcrest area of Scarborough, Ontario.