Calvary Cemetery (St. Louis, Missouri)

Calvary Cemetery (St. Louis, Missouri) is a historic Catholic Church cemetery located in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1857 by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The cemetery is the final resting place of many notable St. Louis residents, including Auguste Chouteau, Eugene Field, and Kate Chopin. Calvary Cemetery is also the burial site of numerous American Civil War veterans, including those who fought in the Battle of Fort Donelson and the Battle of Shiloh. The cemetery's history is closely tied to the development of St. Louis and the Archdiocese of St. Louis, with many Bishops of St. Louis, such as Peter Richard Kenrick and John Joseph Kain, buried within its grounds.

● History

The history of Calvary Cemetery dates back to 1857, when the Archdiocese of St. Louis purchased a large tract of land in St. Louis, Missouri, to establish a new cemetery. The cemetery was designed by Alfred P. Pique, a prominent St. Louis architect, and was intended to provide a dignified and sacred space for the burial of Catholic Church members. During the American Civil War, Calvary Cemetery served as a burial site for many Union Army soldiers, including those who died at the Battle of Fort Donelson and the Battle of Shiloh. The cemetery is also the final resting place of many notable St. Louis residents, including William S. Burroughs, T.S. Eliot, and Chuck Berry, who are buried alongside Auguste Chouteau, Eugene Field, and Kate Chopin. The cemetery's history is closely tied to the development of St. Louis and the Archdiocese of St. Louis, with many Bishops of St. Louis, such as Peter Richard Kenrick and John Joseph Kain, buried within its grounds, near the graves of Dred Scott and Virginia Minor.

● Geography and Layout

Calvary Cemetery is located in St. Louis, Missouri, on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The cemetery covers an area of over 470 acres and features a mix of flat and hilly terrain, with many trees and gardens throughout. The cemetery is divided into several sections, including the Old Cemetery, the New Cemetery, and the Mausoleum section, which features the graves of many notable St. Louis residents, including William S. Burroughs, T.S. Eliot, and Chuck Berry. The cemetery is also home to several lakes and ponds, including Lake #1 and Lake #2, which provide a peaceful and serene atmosphere for visitors. The cemetery's geography and layout are similar to those of other historic cemeteries, such as Arlington National Cemetery and Gettysburg National Cemetery, which are also located near major American Civil War battlefields, such as the Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Antietam.

● Notable Interments

Calvary Cemetery is the final resting place of many notable St. Louis residents, including Auguste Chouteau, Eugene Field, and Kate Chopin. The cemetery is also the burial site of numerous American Civil War veterans, including those who fought in the Battle of Fort Donelson and the Battle of Shiloh. Other notable interments include William S. Burroughs, T.S. Eliot, and Chuck Berry, who are buried alongside Dred Scott and Virginia Minor. The cemetery is also the final resting place of many Bishops of St. Louis, including Peter Richard Kenrick and John Joseph Kain, who are buried near the graves of Pope Pius IX and Pope Leo XIII. The cemetery's notable interments also include Charles Lindbergh, William Clark, and Meriwether Lewis, who are buried near the graves of Thomas Hart Benton and Harry S. Truman.

● Architecture and Landmarks

Calvary Cemetery features a mix of architectural styles, including Gothic Revival, Romanesque Revival, and Art Deco. The cemetery's main entrance is marked by a large stone gate, which was designed by Alfred P. Pique and features a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cemetery is also home to several mausoleums, including the Mausoleum of the Archbishops of St. Louis, which features the graves of many Bishops of St. Louis, including Peter Richard Kenrick and John Joseph Kain. The cemetery's architecture and landmarks are similar to those of other historic cemeteries, such as Arlington National Cemetery and Gettysburg National Cemetery, which feature monuments and memorials to American Civil War veterans, including the Gettysburg Address and the Monument to the 50th Illinois Infantry.

● Current Status and Operations

Calvary Cemetery is currently operated by the Archdiocese of St. Louis and is open to the public for visitation and burial. The cemetery offers a range of services, including funeral planning and burial arrangements, and is also home to a cemetery office and a chapel. The cemetery is also the site of several events and ceremonies throughout the year, including Memorial Day services and All Souls' Day ceremonies, which are attended by veterans' organizations, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The cemetery's current status and operations are similar to those of other historic cemeteries, such as Arlington National Cemetery and Gettysburg National Cemetery, which are also operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and offer similar services and events, including wreath-laying ceremonies and parade ceremonies, which are attended by heads of state, such as the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Category:Cemeteries in Missouri