As Catholics, we entrust the remains of our deceased loved ones to a Catholic cemetery while they await the resurrection of the dead and the promise of eternal life. Calvary Cemetery is the sacred burial place for St. Mary’s parishioners. Its grounds have been blessed and consecrated for the burial of the faithful departed.  The cemetery is set on 24.4 acres, of which approximately half is still being developed. It is located on 667 W. Jackson Street about one mile west of St. Mary Church.  There are two cemeteries at this location. Oakland Cemetery is on the north side of Jackson, and Calvary is on the south side. 

The Calvary cemetery includes a special section (“Angel land”) for the burial of infants and small children. We have two Columbariums which were added in 1998 which provides interment space and memorialization for up to 192 cremation urns.  Foundations are in place for one additional Columbarium in the same area. We added In-Ground Inurnment in 2015 and memorialization for up to 49 cremated remains.

Those who hold deeds in the cemetery pay for future maintenance of the gravesites when they purchase burial rights. A trust fund with the Rockford Diocese ensures the continued care of the cemetery grounds into perpetuity.

The Calvary Cemetery is open seven days a week from dawn to dusk.  The administration is handled from the St. Mary’s Parish Office at 312 Lincoln Avenue in Woodstock. The office is open Monday - Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm.  Outdoor Liturgies are celebrated each year at the Calvary cemetery pavilion on Memorial Day.

History

Calvary is part of the Rockford Diocese Cemetery System and is administered by St. Mary Parish.  The exact year of its foundation is unknown, but the first burial of record occurred in 1834, even before the beginning of St. Mary Parish, which appears to have taken place in either 1851 or 1853.  The cemetery was significantly expanded in 1889 with a land grant from the estate of a generous family.

We currently complete about 50 interments each year.  There are approximately 3500 interments in the cemetery and 1200 additional graves reserved by parish families.

Calvary Cemetery is operated under the direction of a Cemetery Commission, comprised of four lay Commissioners, a Cemetery Coordinator, and St. Mary’s Business Manager, who also serves as the Cemetery Manager.  The Cemetery Commission is affiliated with the Rockford Diocese Office of Catholic Cemeteries and meets several times a year to review policies and address any concerns.

Calvary Cemetery Photos

Calvary Cemetery Map

Calvary Cemetery is currently divided into thirteen Sections, designated A through T. Sections A and B are the closest to Jackson St and have the oldest graves. Sections C and D and M  were developed next. Section N was the next section opened, Section N having been opened in 2003. Section G is the most recent section to be opened in 2018. Lot markers have been placed in Section J. Inurnments are in the northwest corner of the Cemetery in Section I. The rest of all the other sections south of Dolan Drive are largely undeveloped at this time.

Additionally, in the northwest corner of the cemetery (top left on the map), there is an American flag, two Columbarium's and a pavilion where Cemetery Masses are celebrated during the warmer months, and also a memorial to the unborn victims of abortion.