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Over the last several years, various cemetery restoration projects have been completed. Caring for our cemeteries is a way that we can continue in caring for and burying the dead. This important work of mercy is an obligation for us as Catholics, to look after the dead with dignity. Continue below to view photo journals and information about these wonderful projects.
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Old Cemetery History
The Old St. Joseph's Cemetery was originally consecrated for burial groups on May 26, 1881, by Bishop Patrick Monogue of Grass Valley. The land for the cemetery, located at Lincoln Street and Waldon Street, was donated by RG. Dunn and Bernard Conroy. The Cemetery lay near the UPRR tracks about a block west of California Street.
The original St. Joseph's church was located near the cemetery at the corner of Court Street and Sacramento Street. The original St. Joseph's church was destroyed by a fire in 1964, and the church was moved to its current location near the existing St. Joseph's school.
In July of 1942, Bishop Armstrong of Sacramento dedicated the new St. Joseph's mausoleum near Redding on Hwy 299, just west of Buenaventura Blvd. With the consecration of the new burial ground, interments at the Old St. Joseph's Cemetery slowly ceased. There are over 500 persons buried at the Old Cemetery.
The Old Cemetery Restoration Project began in 1986-1987. Vandalism and gravesite desecration prompted fundraising in order to construct a chain-link fence around the perimeter of the cemetery. Louis Franchetti also fashioned a welded steel gate at the entrance.
But even with a gate, vandalism, and gravesite desecration continued to be a problem. In 2008-2009, the Knights of Columbus stepped up to take responsibility for restoring the gravesites. They initiated ongoing stewardship of the grave plots, establishing the "Adopt-A-Plot" program.
Bishop Jaime Soto of the Sacramento Diocese also took a personal interest and directed funds for graves restoration. Additionally, UPRR initiated erosion control measures along the west boundary of the cemetery abutting the UPRR tracks.
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Old Cemetery Restoration Project Gallery
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