Cemeteries

Divine Mercy Catholic Church owns and operates St. Lawrence Cemetery and Calvary Cemetery in Faribault, Minnesota. 

The Catholic Cemetery

The Catholic Church’s involvement in cemetery ministry is a long standing part of its history. The church’s caring for her deceased members is a corporal work of mercy and a formal ministerial engagement of the Catholic Church throughout the United States.   Catholic cemeteries help the church to sustain faith among its members and are a valuable teaching tool. People using Catholic cemeteries have an opportunity to better understand the church’s theology about life, death and life after death.  Each visit to a Catholic cemetery provides the faithful with a very visible sign of the reality of the communion of saints.  

-Minnesota Catholic Cemetery Policies and Procedures, Winter 2002-2003.

Perpetual Care

A portion of the price for each lot is set aside in a perpetual care fund at each cemetery.  This fund is maintained so that the future income may be utilized to ensure the permanent upkeep of the cemetery.

Leaving a Legacy Gift to the Cemetery

Individuals and families are invited to support our cemeteries by including a gift in their estate plans.  For more information on legacy gifts, please contact the Lead Steward of Administration at Divine Mercy Catholic Church.

Policy Information

The policies for the cemeteries are reviewed and updated by the Cemetery Board.  A complete policy manual is maintained at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church parish offices.  The following are policies of the cemeteries:

1. The policy of St. Lawrence/Calvary Cemetery is to require vaults for regular burials.

2. The policy of St. Lawrence/Calvary Cemetery is to allow a maximum of 2 burials per lot (one grave).  The 2 burials may be comprised of one of the following options:      

a. One regular burial and one cremation burial.      

b. Two cremation burials.

3. The policy of St. Lawrence/Calvary Cemetery is to require a sealed, waterproof container for cremation burials.

4. The policy of St. Lawrence/Calvary Cemetery is to charge an “additional right of burial” for a 2nd burial on a lot (one grave).

Calvary Cemetery History

Calvary Cemetery, initially laid out in 1858, contained ten acres of Section 35 in the southeastern part of Wells Township. Prior to this time, a parcel of ground southwest of the parish rectory was used for burial purposes. These deceased were moved to the newly acquired grounds in 1858.

Faribault founder, Alexander Faribault undertook the task of finding a more suitable location for a cemetery. James Kennedy offered to deed 10 acres to Mr. Faribault in payment for an outstanding debt. Mr. Faribault had the land deeded directly to Father Keller in 1865, who in turn deeded it to Bishop Thomas Grace. On October 21, 1877, the cemetery was deeded from the Diocese of St. Paul to the Immaculate Conception parish, which in 2002 became Divine Mercy Catholic Church incorporating the parishes of Immaculate Conception, St. Lawrence & Sacred Heart.

In the late 1860’s on All Souls day, Father Keller, accompanied by 6 men, carried a large cross in a march with most of the congregation to the cemetery. After the cross was erected at the south end of the cemetery, Father Keller proceeded to bless the cemetery grounds.  During Father Patrick Daheny’s pastorate (1885-1889), a fire swept through the cemetery destroying the 1860’s cross, as well as wooden markers & railings around individual graves & lots. The destruction made it almost impossible to locate & identify the graves of the early settlers.

During Father James Conry’s pastorate (1890-1900), the vault was constructed at the upper entrance, as well as a water system. In need of higher ground for the water system tank, Father Conry approached Donald Grant to purchase land he owned adjoining the south boundary of the cemetery. Mr. Grant generously donated the needed land for the new addition. The original 10 acres lies in Wells Township, while the newly donated land lies in Warsaw Township.

St. Lawrence Cemetery History

St Lawrence purchased land about 4 miles north of the existing church in 1871.   The cemetery was moved to its present location in 1917.  Records indicate that the cemetery was moved due to its inaccessibility, being several miles from town with bad hills to climb.

The western-most portion of the cemetery was surveyed and “laid-out” in 1988.  During that same year, money was also donated to build the fence along the south side of the cemetery.  The current roads in the cemetery were tarred in 1995 through the generous donation of a resident in his will.