The Christ Church Parish Church Cemetery, located in Oistins, Barbados, is steeped in history, tied to the Christ Church Parish Church, first established in 1629.

The original church, a wooden structure near Dover Beach, was destroyed by a flood in 1669, scattering coffins and bones from its initial cemetery across the shore. Four family vaults from 1672 remain at this original site, preserved by the Barbados Museum and Historical Society.

After the flood, the church relocated to its current Church Hill position, overlooking Oistins Bay, and with it, a new cemetery emerged.

This graveyard has witnessed the church’s turbulent past, with subsequent structures razed by hurricanes in 1780 and 1831, and a fire in 1935. The current church, built that same year, stands beside the cemetery, which became infamous for the Chase Vault mystery.

Constructed in 1724 by the Waldron family and later acquired by the Chases, this coral-hewn vault saw its coffins inexplicably rearranged between 1807 and 1819. Despite investigations, including by Governor Lord Combermere, no explanation emerged—some attribute it to decomposition gases, though the tale persists as folklore.

Beyond this enigma, the cemetery holds Commonwealth burials from World War I and reflects Barbados’ Anglican heritage, with tombstones dating back centuries.

Its serene yet storied grounds, featuring crypts and headstones, remain a testament to the parish’s resilience against natural disasters and its enduring cultural significance, drawing visitors intrigued by its historical and mysterious legacy.