The history of St. John the Baptist Churchyard began in the early 20th century, shortly after the establishment of St. John’s parish. On May 24, 1902, Reverend Anthony Szczukowski was appointed as the first Pastor of St. John’s by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The parish was officially founded on July 16th, marking the beginning of a lasting community presence. By October 1908, the growing parish recognized the need for a dedicated burial ground, purchasing land for $450 to create St. John the Baptist Churchyard. This original purchase provided space for 3,636 grave sites, reflecting the vision for a significant and enduring cemetery. The first burial took place in September 1909, establishing the churchyard as a sacred space for the community’s departed. Rededicated in 1959, St. John the Baptist Churchyard continues to be an integral ministry of the St. John’s parish, offering a peaceful final resting place. In recognition of its importance, the St. John’s Cemetery Committee was formed on June 14, 1999, leading to numerous enhancements and improvements to maintain and beautify the grounds for visitors and loved ones.
Understanding St. John the Baptist Churchyard Policies
To ensure the respectful and serene environment of St. John the Baptist Churchyard, several policies are in place. These guidelines help maintain the grounds and ensure a consistent appearance for all who visit to remember and honor those interred here. The concept of perpetual care at St. John’s Cemetery encompasses the ongoing general upkeep of the landscape. This includes meticulous care of the grass, trees, fences, paved areas, and common plantings, ensuring the churchyard remains a beautiful and dignified space. However, it’s important to note that perpetual care does not cover the repair or replacement of personal items such as vases, baskets, or memorials placed at individual grave sites. The cemetery management reserves the right to set and enforce regulations regarding decorations on graves to maintain uniformity and prevent clutter. For detailed information, please refer to the Cemetery Brochure.
Specific regulations include:
- Groundskeeping: To maintain a neat and orderly appearance, coping, fencing, hedging, borders, or enclosures of any kind around graves are not permitted.
- Walkways: Materials like brick, cinder, tile, terra cotta, sand, cement, gravel, or wood are prohibited for creating walkways or pathways around grave sites.
- Decorations: Decorative rocks, solar lights, and personal mementos are not allowed, as they can detract from the overall aesthetic and create maintenance challenges.
- Columbaria and Common Areas: Decorations are not permitted on the columbaria units, cemetery fences, trees, shrubs, or plantings in common areas to preserve the unified landscape design.
- Decoration Removal: Cemetery management will remove any decorations deemed unsightly or inappropriate to maintain the churchyard’s dignity. Decorations left beyond specified timeframes or displaced from their original locations will also be removed as part of regular maintenance.
- Seasonal Decorations: Christmas wreaths are allowed during the Christmas season but must be removed by March 1st, weather permitting, to facilitate spring cleanup and maintenance.
- Flowers and Shepherd Hooks: Shepherd hooks and both real and artificial flowers may be displayed from April 1 through October 31, offering a period for floral tributes. For major holidays—Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, and Independence Day—flowers can be placed no more than 3 days prior and must be removed within two weeks following each holiday.
- Annual Maintenance: Two weeks after Memorial Day, all decorations are removed from the entire cemetery for annual maintenance, allowing for thorough groundskeeping. Decorations can be placed again starting June 15th.
- Vase Policy: To prevent damage and assist with maintenance, vases should be turned over when not in use and must be turned over or removed by November 1st each year in preparation for winter and snow removal.
Columbarium Niche locations
Columbarium niches offer a respectful option for cremated remains at St. John the Baptist Churchyard.
Memorial Options at St. John the Baptist Churchyard
St. John the Baptist Churchyard provides clear guidelines for memorials to ensure uniformity and respect within the grounds. To maintain the peaceful and park-like setting, upright monuments are not permitted. All grave markers must be at ground level.
Specific marker size regulations include:
- Single Marker: 1 foot x 2 feet x 4 inches
- Double Marker: 1 foot x 3 feet x 4 inches
- Baby Marker: 8 inches x 14 inches x 4 inches
- Cremation Marker: Available in sizes 8 inches x 16 inches, 10 inches x 20 inches, or 12 inches x 24 inches
Please note that all prices are subject to change without prior notice.
Donations to the Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund are gratefully accepted, helping to ensure the long-term beauty and maintenance of St. John the Baptist Churchyard. More detailed cemetery policies are available upon request from the parish office.
Lot and Columbaria Fees
St. John the Baptist Churchyard offers options for both traditional burial lots and columbaria niches for cremated remains. Fees vary for parishioners and non-parishioners, reflecting the parish community support.
Lot Fees:
| Lot Type | Parishioners | Non-Parishioners |
|---|---|---|
| Full Size Lots | $1100 | $1500 |
| Cremation Lots | $800 | $1200 |
| Cremation-Second right of use | $700 | $900 |
| Infant Lots (under age 2) | No Fee | No Fee |
Columbaria Fees (Parishioner Price per Niche):
| Row | Columbaria A | Columbaria B & C |
|---|---|---|
| Row E | $2700 | NA |
| Row D | $2800 | NA |
| Row C | $2800 | $2700 |
| Row B | $2600 | $2500 |
| Row A | $2500 | $2400 |
For Non-Parishioners, please add $1000 to the listed prices for columbaria niches. An Interment Fee of $300 applies to all columbarium interments. Engraving costs are additional and are the responsibility of the niche holder.
Labor Fees for Cemetery Services
Labor fees are consistently applied to both parishioners and non-parishioners for cemetery services.
Full-Size Lots:
- Opening/Closing: $975
- Saturday additional: $175
- Sunday additional: $300
- Single Marker Setting: $400
- Double Marker Setting: $525
- Vase with concrete base installation: $115
- Government Marker Setting: $400
- Cremation Section Marker Setting: $325
Cremation Lots:
- Opening/Closing: $575
- Marker Changes (if applicable): $225 (Note: Concrete Vaults are required for cremation burials)
Infant Lots:
- Opening/Closing: $450
- Markers: $175
For any inquiries or to request more comprehensive cemetery policies, please Contact the parish office. St. John the Baptist Churchyard is a sacred place dedicated to honoring loved ones and providing a peaceful environment for remembrance and reflection.
