Masses will be celebrated at all Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic cemeteries at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 28 as part of Memorial Day observances and the 150th anniversary of Catholic Cemeteries in the Archdiocese. This year also marks the centennial of Mount Olivet Cemetery on Milwaukee’s south side.

Following all Masses at all cemeteries, a wreath laying ceremony will take place at the “Tomb of the Unknowns.” An American flag will be placed on the gravesites of all veterans. The fifth annual Memorial Day Booklet will be free to all visitors. Approximately 2,000 people are expected to attend the various Masses. Cemetery visits are higher during the Memorial Day weekend.

“The cemeteries are busy throughout the day with people taking time to visit the graves and remember loved ones,” said Tom Champa, director of cemeteries for the Archdiocese. “We have noticed in years where the military is active overseas there is a heightened sense of people’s remembrance for deceased veterans.”

Following Mass at Calvary Cemetery, (plaza on the west side of Chapel Hill), a program featuring the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War & Auxiliary will lead a Civil War Memorial Day observance, including period clothing, military equipment (triple cannon salute), music and a patriotic oration. In case of inclement weather, the Mass will be celebrated at St. Vincent Pallotti, across from the Gatehouse on Bluemound. Fr. Carey Lahrs, SDS, will be the celebrant.

Catholic Cemeteries Instituted by Archbishop Henni

Catholic Cemeteries were formally instituted in 1857 when Archbishop John Martin Henni purchased 55 acres of land along Bluemound Road and named it Calvary Cemetery. Preceding the purchase, small Catholic cemeteries, including a former 10-acre cemetery on 15th and Wisconsin, were scattered throughout the Archdiocese. Most of the Catholic cemeteries were run by local parishes or ethnic associations. More than 70,000 people are buried at Calvary Cemetery, 5503 W. Bluemound Rd. Three hundred crypts and niches were added in 2001. Persons buried at Calvary include Solomon Juneau, Milwaukee’s first mayor, Alexander Johnson, founder of the A.H. Johnson Confectionary & Biscuit Co. and Frederick Miller, founder of Miller Brewing Co.

Other Catholic cemetery site information:

Holy Cross Cemetery 7301 W. Nash St. Chapel of the Holy Cross, Fr. Russell Tikalsky, celebrant. Established in 1909. Grounds cover 196 acres; about 135,000 buried; 19,000 crypts and niches.

St. Adalbert Cemeteries and Holy Trinity Cemeteries 3801 S. 6 St. Holy Family Chapel, Fr. Robert Nawrocki, celebrant. St. Adalbert Cemetery and Mausoleum (once called Polish Union Cemetery) was established in 1888. Grounds cover 98 acres; about 63,000 buried; 19,000 crypts and niches. Holy Trinity was established in 1865. Grounds cover 30 acres; about 10,000 buried.

Mount Olivet Cemetery 3801 W. Morgan Ave. Chapel of Angels and Light, Fr. Marvin Lazarski, Cemeteries, spiritual director, celebrant. Established in 1907. Grounds cover 70 acres; about 26,000 buried; 7,500 crypts and niches.

All Saints Cemetery 3300 Springbrook Rd., Pleasant Prairie. Chapel II, Fr. John Richetta, celebrant. Established in 1962. Grounds cover 97 acres; about 3,500 buried; 5,000 crypts and niches.

Resurrection Cemetery 9400 W. Donges Bay Rd., Mequon, Resurrection Chapel, Fr. Leonard Andre, celebrant. Established in 1968. Grounds cover 215 acres; about 2,800 buried; 1,500 crypts and niches.

Saint Joseph Cemetery S22W22890 Broadway, Waukesha, St. Joseph Chapel, Fr. Robert Mueller, celebrant. Acquired by the Archdiocese from St. Joseph Parish in 1990; first burials date back to 1840s. Grounds cover 25 acres; about 10,400 buried; 4,500 crypts and niches.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee owns and operates eight cemeteries and seven mausoleums within four counties in southeastern Wisconsin on behalf of Catholic parishes and their members.

For more information, call Catholic Cemeteries at (414) 438-4420.