Gary Diocesan Cemeteries

Ss Peter and Paul Cemetery

Ss Peter and Paul Parish can trace their history back 173 years when the first Mass was celebrated in a log cabin in Turkey Creek (Merrillville) 1841. The settlement of German immigrants occasionally had a visiting priest to say Mass for them.

The first church was a frame building erected in 1851 and was built on the present cemetery site (at 56th Ave & Delaware St on the east side of Broadway.) The Church and cemetery continued together until 1858 when Rev Philip Wegemeyer was appointed the first pastor. In 1863 the Church was moved to its present location 5885 Harrison, Merrillville Indiana and the name was changed from St. John the Baptist to Ss Peter & Paul. The cemetery continued to exist in its original and present location.

The first burial at Ss Peter and Paul Cemetery dates back to April 23, 1852. The cemetery continued to be used throughout the early years but due to circumstance was used less and began to deteriorate. In 2010 the director of diocesan cemeteries took the cemetery over and began an extensive renovation, trees cut down, roads repaved, grass reseeded, fence taken down, etc. Ss Peter and Paul is a cemetery of the diocese any Catholic and/or their family members are able to be buried on sacred ground. The first person to be buried after becoming a diocesan cemetery was laid to rest on November 2, 2010.

Since our renovation, a number of families have returned and new families have purchased graves and monuments at Ss Peter & Paul. In 2011 we erected a columbarium for the cemetery and entitled it “Our Lady of the Apostles”. About half of the niches have been sold and we are contemplating construction of an additional Columbarium in the near future.

Saint Joseph cemetery was established by Reverend Henry Plaster, Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Hammond. The date is thought to be about August 11, 1881. St Joseph Cemetery was located at the corner of 165th street and Hohman ave. Mr. John Verhoven donated one acre of land to be used as a cemetery. In 1886 an additional three acres was added to the cemetery.

St. Stanislaus Cemetery was developed by St. Stanislaus Church as a parish cemetery. The first burial was recorded in 1898. For many years there was no general maintenance provided. The ground became very unsightly and was referred to as a “sandbur patch.”

MAIN OFFICE: ST. JOHN - ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CEMETERY
PHONE: (219) 844-9475 FAX: (219) 844-3770 EMAIL: MWELSH@GARYCATHCEMS.ORG

OFFICE HOURS
MONDAY - FRIDAY: 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. SATURDAY: 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.