How Catholic Cemeteries Started

Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas was the Archdiocesan effort, which began in 1967, to consolidate the accounting of five cemeteries located in the two counties.

In 1971, a board of trustees was appointed to look after the care and maintenance of the five cemeteries. The original five cemeteries were: St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, 36th and State, Kansas City, KS, established in 1864; Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 38th & State, Kansas City, KS, established in 1901; St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, 89th & Pflumm, Lenexa, KS, established in the late 1800’s; St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, 61st & Quivira, Shawnee, KS, established in the late 1800’s; and Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 83rd & Quivira, Lenexa, KS, established 1954.

Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas was incorporated in 1991. In 1996, Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Olathe, KS, the parish cemetery of St. Paul’s Parish in Olathe, was transferred to the care of Catholic Cemeteries. Established in the late 1800’s, this cemetery is located on South US Hwy 169.

Also in 1996, Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, at 126th & Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, KS was established, bringing to seven the number of cemeteries managed by Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas, Inc.

In 2011, Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Topeka conveyed its operations to Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas, bringing total cemeteries managed to eight. And in 2016, Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Lansing became the ninth cemetery to join Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas.

Mission Statement

As a ministry of the Catholic Church, we bury the dead with dignity and respect; we comfort the living with compassion and concern; and we provide sacred space for remembering.

Value Statements

Faith:

Grounded in our faith-based tradition, we perpetually maintain sacred space for remembering and for religious celebration of life and death.

Compassion:

We comfort persons who are mourning and offer opportunities for prayer and support.

Integrity:

Our services are reasonably priced and offered by professional staff.

Dignity:

Just as the human body deserves to be treated with respect in life, we treat it respectfully in death.