The cemetery commenced in October 1859 as a private burial ground for the Grenier family on their 640 acre (260 ha) farming property. When property owner Thomas Grenier died in 1877 his will left three roods (0.3 ha) in perpetuity as a burial ground for family members and others 'approved by the family' which effectively meant other district pioneers.
Yeerongpilly Shire Council took control of the cemetery in 1924 with responsibility transferred to the City of Brisbane in 1930 under the City of Brisbane Act 1924. The Council closed the cemetery in 1931 to all but those with existing burial rights, the last burial occurring in 1980 by which time approximately 230 burials had occurred. Ashes of descendants have been added in recent years.
Sometimes referred to as the Oxley Cemetery in historical records and newspaper notices that name also, confusingly, was sometimes applied to the Francis Outlook cemetery which also was sometimes referred to as Oxley Creek Cemetery.
The cemetery was acquired by the Commonwealth Government in 1946 as part of the development of the Archerfield Aerodrome. The airport was privatised in 1998.
The God's Acre Restoration Committee was formed in 1990 and undertook 14 months of initial restoration work with support from community groups. The Committee evolved into the Friends of God's Acre Incorporated which organised another major restoration of the cemetery during 2008-2009 using grant monies from a range of government, community, and corporate organisations as well as private individuals.
A time capsule was laid on 27 Oct 2009 to mark the 150th anniversary of the cemetery. The cemetery was placed on the Brisbane City Council Heritage Register in 2016.
The cemetery is well maintained by the Archerfield Airport Corporation and the Friends of God's Acre Incorporated. An annual remembrance ceremony is held on-site on the last Sunday in June.
SOURCES
Site signage
A brief history of God's Acre, Archerfield www.foga.org.au/
John F Stevens papers, Box 8850, State Library of Queensland
Brisbane City Council Heritage Register heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au/heritage_register/placeDetail.do?action=read&placeId=76