Roman Catholic Cemetery Association

In 1841, a Catholic Cemetery was opened on the north side of Maine Street between 18th and 20th streets for the exclusive use of the Catholics of Quincy. The Germans were buried on the east half and the English-speaking on the west half. Eventually this site became overcrowded. In 1860, ground was purchased on 20th and State Street for St. Boniface Cemetery. This was known as the GCC or German Catholic Cemetery. The bodies of some of the deceased were moved to the new cemetery around 1875.

St. Peter Cemetery was purchased in 1873 on east Broadway. This was known as the ICC or Irish Catholic Cemetery, It was used by two parishes: St. Boniface and St. Lawrence. (St. Lawrence later became known as St. Peter Parish.) The CIC is now called St. Peter Cemetery, In a large circle in the middle, there is a large cross with the names of Rev. John Patrick Kerr and Rev. Augustine Tolton. Fr. Tolton was born near Indian Creek, MO. He was the first black American priest. He was ordained in 1886 and said his first Mass at St. Boniface Church.

A meeting was held of Quincy parishes and Calvary Cemetery was purchased in 1906 for a sum of $3,700. This site is located on North 18th Street, north of Locust. The price of lots at that time was $20-$40, according to location. The cemetery and cross were blessed on August 5, 1906. The first burial was on September 27, 1906. The Roman Catholic Cemetery Association was incorporated on May 2, 1934. Three local Catholic cemeteries in Quincy - Calvary, St. Peter's, and St. Boniface - are under the control and operation of a Board of Directors.  This board consist of the parish pastor and two representatives from each of all four parishes in Quincy. They meet 4 times a year: January, April, July, and October, and they oversee day-to-day operations of cemetery maintenance and finances. The Cemetery Association operates on income from the sale of plots and revenue from burials. Replacing and repairing equipment is very costly and is not completely covered by yearly revenue. Twice a year, in October and May, a collection is taken up at the parishes to help with this cost. Please consider donating generously to these collections. Another way to help our cemeteries is to remember to include them in your bequests.

Calvary - 17 1/2 acres with over 5,800 graves available, St. Peter - 4 acres with approximately 416 graves available, and St. Boniface - 7 1/2 acres with approximately 320 graves available.