Saint Mary Cemetery
O God, almighty Father, our faith professes that your Son died and rose again; mercifully grant that your servants who have fallen asleep in Christ, may rejoice to rise again though Him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The History of St. Mary Cemetery
The old Catholic cemetery was located on the South side of West Chestnut Street near present day Memorial Drive. This pioneer buying ground was next to the St. Mary Chapel of 1820 and was used until the mid 1830’s.
The East Graveyard at the Southeast corner of Walnut Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue was laid out in 1837. Sections of this cemetery were set aside for Catholics, Methodists, and and Baptists. In 1842, the Presbyterians purchased a lot bordering the North edge of this graveyard for their cemetery. In later years, the Presbyterian Cemetery and the East Graveyard combined to form Elmwood Cemetery.
During the pastorate of Father J.B. Schmitt (1875-1884), the burial ground at Elmwood Cemetery reached its capacity. A committee at St. Mary of the Assumption was named to secure new ground. As a result, the present twelve acre cemetery, South of the city on B.I.S. Road was purchased for $1,200. This new St. Mary Cemetery was consecrated the following All Saints Day, November 1, 1881.
On May 4, 1962, Monsignor Roland T. Winel purchased for the parish a twenty-acre tract of land across from the present cemetery for future expansion. Presently, this tract of land remains unused.
Cemetery Size
18 acres of developed land with 3 undeveloped acres with St. Mary Cemetery. Also an additional 15 acres across the street that can be developed.
St. Mary Cemetery – Map
1500 South Broad Street
Lancaster, OH 43130