History Of Calvary Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery traces its roots back to May of 1885 when the cemetery grounds were located four miles west of Jamestown, Dakota Territory. In 1887, St. James Parish decided this location was too far from town and in 1889 the cemetery was relocated to its present site, on a 5.37 acre site donated by parishioner C.W. Hendricks, just 1 ½ miles west of town. Bishop Marty from Fargo was present to dedicate the new Cemetery. The entombed bodies were moved to the new Calvary Cemetery. Early tombstones date back to 1882.

Several adjacent tracts have been obtained at various times over the years, and the cemetery has grown to over 35 acres. One such addition was the Flannery Addition on the west side of the cemetery. The most recent addition is the St. James First Addition to Calvary Cemetery in the year 2000. At the present rate, the Cemetery should have enough land for another 100 plus years.

Calvary Cemetery has two monuments to grace the grounds, both done in mahogany granite. The first was located in the center of the original cemetery in 1949 and the second in 1975 when Flannery Addition was opened. The second monument was a bit of a problem when winds toppled the first two and finally, with extra bracing, the third one is still standing. In the new section, St. James Addition, a grotto to the Virgin Mary, originally located at St. John's Academy, downtown, overlooks those buried there.

Calvary Cemetery has sections to accommodate any kind of headstone. Some sections are for only flat stones, others are flat or upright. Artificial flowers are only allowed prior to and one week after Memorial Day and the planting of trees and shrubs is only allowed by the Calvary Cemetery Association.

A few unique epitaphs on headstones are:

"Together Forever"

"Call not back the dear departed
Anchored safe where storms are over
On the border land we left them
Soon to meet and part no more"

"Death is certain. The hour unknown"

A recent count of burials in Calvary Cemetery shows nearly 2000 patrons, with an average burial count of about 17.

The Calvary Cemetery Association contracts with Alpha Opportunities for maintenance and care and is administered by a board of five parishioners: Charlie Kourajian, president and trustee; John Balster, trustee; Floyd Neys, Andy Kudrna and Richard Kouba. Sadie Hagan is our secretary, but not a member of the board.