Cemetery
Located just behind the church, our parish maintains a beautiful and peaceful cemetery, complete with an outdoor altar. Mass is celebrated outside at the cemetery (outdoor altar) on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the 4th of July, among other days as the weather permits. If you are in need of purchasing a burial plot or have any questions about the cemetery, please contact the office.
Baby Cemetery
I'll hold you in my heart until I hold you in heaven.
The loss of a baby is a profound event in the life of a mother and father, and therefore, the whole community of faith. Together with the parents, the Church entrusts back to God a person who has been created by Him to live for all eternity.
No matter how early a loss takes place in pregnancy, many Catholic parents still long to name, inter, and remember their baby as an eternal member of the family—someone who will be encountered in love on the Last Day.
The St. Michael Catholic Cemetery is here to help you in this time of need.
Burial in the Miscarried Baby, Stillborn, and Infant Section
We have a section of small, individual burial plots for the remains of a miscarried pregnancy, stillborn babies, and infants. Interment is free of charge to parents who have requested burial through the pastoral care of a priest. Families also have the option of memorializing their baby with a small headstone. Please contact the office for more information.
*Wording adapted from https://ccaw.org/miscarriage-and-infants
Baby Cemetery pictured below
History of the Cemetery
In April 1881 (while the church was still under construction), John Shoudel, one of the church founders, fell ill and died. Mrs. John Shoudel donated an acre of land for a cemetery. It was purchased from her son, Michael. John Shoudel was buried near the center of the cemetery. A wooden fence was built to keep grazing cattle off the grave. Additions to the cemetery were given in 1937 and 1938 by Lena Shoudel.
Click here to read more of our history.