Old Calvary Cemetery was established in 1870 on two
acres of land belonging to George Graves. Mr. Graves was a farmer who
settled in the Salinas Valley in 1855. He had set aside a place for private
burial ground on his ranch, when some of his young children died. He soon
saw the need for a community cemetery, and deeded the site to the Catholic
Church and Calvary Cemetery was born!
Calvary Cemetery is a site of religious and historical
significance. The cemetery is the resting place of many Salinas Valley
pioneers and their descendants. However, it’s location, combined with the
emergence of larger cemeteries in the area and the lack of endowment care
planning has resulted in limited attention for this sacred place. As a
result, for the second time in its history, a restoration effort is
required.
In 1975, Council 1948 of the Knights of Columbus, undertook the first
restoration of Calvary by rebuilding fences and walls, planting trees,
controlling weeds, resetting markers, and providing graveled paths. However,
while Council 1948 continues to donate funds and workhours to Cemetery
maintenance, it is no longer able to provide the full resources to complete
major repairs required such as plot restoration, marker resetting, and fence
replacement.
A committee of concerned citizens, in collaboration with the Diocese of
Monterey, has been established to focus community attention on the problem
and to lay the framework for restoring and maintaining this site. If you
have relatives or friends resting in Calvary Cemetery, and would like to
help in this effort, please contact Clancy D’Angelo, Director of Cemeteries,
Diocese of Monterey (831) 373-4345.
Remember, one measure of a community is the devotion it shows to those who
have preceded us and to whom we owe so much. Please join us in this
worthwhile effort.
Calvary Cemetery Renovation Plans
¨
Restoration of
Historical Monuments
¨
Improved
Lighting and Security
¨
Complete
Perimeter Fencing
¨
New Trees and
Shrubs
¨
New Signage
and Historical Plaque
¨
Development of
Cremation Urn Sites
We
are looking for relatives of the following folks resting in peace in Calvary
Cemetery to help us restore their deteriorated Family Plots. If you have
family members on the list, please contact Clancy D’Angelo at the Diocese of
Monterey, 831.373.4345 for more information.
A Bit of History………………