CALVARY CEMETERY

WEST HWY. #10 (MAIN STREET)

ON NORTH SIDE OF HIGHWAY

ANOKA, MN

Cemetery information from “Silent Cities” copyright 1975 and St. Stephen’s Church, Anoka MN. - last update: 2001

Burial Information

According to a WPA survey completed in 1937, Calvary Cemetery began as a one acre plot that was consecrated and blessed by Father Earth, an early missionary in the Anoka area in 1856.  The area was known as Benton County then, since it was before the organization of Anoka County in 1857.

          Ten years later, the cemetery was increased in size to eight acres and belonged to St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Anoka.  At this time, the cemetery was in a “natural state” meaning it had no fence, walls, or orderly layout.  In 1873, Father McDearmont began an improvement plan where he got a fence put in and created an orderly layout for the cemetery roads and lots.

          The rock wall that runs along the front side of the cemetery today was built by Alfred Keillor in the early years of the last century.  He was a stone mason and cement man in the area and we know he built this wall, but we are not sure of when exactly.  We do know he build the stone wall that runs along the yard of the house on South Ferry Street in 1912, so it is believed he built this one about that same time.  If the Keillor name is familiar, we can say yes, Alfred was a relative of Garrison Keillor of Prairie Home Companion fame.

          The original plat for the cemetery dated 1866 is still in the possession of St. Stephens and is kept in a safe.  Four volumes of records on burials exist at St. Stephen’s, but prior to 1948, burial records are not 100% complete.  The cemetery is still active and burials happen here frequently.