Calvary Catholic Cemetery

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker says about Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Tom Green County. Pull up a chair, because some places earn their peace the slow way, and this is one of them. On June 12, 1893, this Catholic cemetery was created.

And before that month was out, the ground had already received its first soul. Her name was Yrinia Buendia, and her burial was the first. Now, if you walk those grounds today and spot headstones with dates reaching back before 1893, don't let that puzzle you too long.

Those are transferred burials, moved here to rest alongside the others. The marker is careful to say so. By 1960, a memorial altar and a crucifixion scene had been erected on the grounds, giving the place a visual anchor, something to face when words run short.

Then in 1961, when the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo was established, a security fence was added. The institution grew, and the grounds were tended accordingly. After 1985, mausoleums arrived, and modern improvements followed.

But what strikes you, reading through the record of this place, is the company kept here. Area pioneers. Veterans.

Church leaders. Parishioners and their families. Their heritage, the marker says, is chronicled here with reverence and honor.

Today, a committee of local Catholic church representatives coordinates all the affairs of these well-kept grounds. That word, well-kept, is doing a lot of work in just two syllables. Somebody shows up.

Somebody always has. That's the story Calvary Catholic Cemetery has been tellin since June of 1893.

What the marker says

This Catholic cemetery was created June 12, 1893. The first burial, that of Yrinia Buendia, took place within the month. Graves with earlier dates are transferred burials. A memorial altar and crucifixion scene were erected in 1960. A security fence was added when the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Angelo was established in 1961. Mausoleums and modern improvements arrived after 1985. Today, all affairs of these well-kept grounds are coordinated by a committee of local Catholic church representatives. The heritage of area pioneers, veterans, church leaders, parishioners and their families is chronicled here with reverence and honor. Historic Texas Cemetery - 1998