Calvary Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery is a quiet resting place for over 4,000 burials. The cemetery is divided into nine sections plus an infant section. Opened in the 1800s, the four center sections with many historic memorials and monuments were known as the South East, North East, North West and South West sections until the 1970s when they were renamed Sections 1 through 4. At that time Section 5 and 6 were added to the west and north of the original sections as well as a baby section on the south end of Section 5. Sections 7, 8 and 9 were plotted in 2007.

A beautiful granite columbarium with burial niches for cremated remains was added to the cemetery in the spring of 2015.

St. Stephen’s Calvary Cemetery has undergone a facelift that has beautified and enhanced the entrance and access.  If you are visiting Calvary Cemetery for the Memorial Day Mass or to visit the graves of family and friends, you will see these improvements.  As you approach the entrance off Garfield Street, you will see a tall granite cross identifying Calvary Cemetery and St. Stephen’s Church.  An iron fence with large stone pillars frame the entrance and exit for visitors and funeral processions.  From the entrance you will see the Columbarium with walkways to the patio and benches. An altar is located by the columbariam for  prayers of committal and services.

Directions: Take Highway 10 West,to Thurston Avenue (north), then turn right on Greenhaven Parkway. Follow Greenhave Parkway to Garfield Street turn right and Calvary cemetery entrance is on the left.

Calvary Cemetery Map

Calvary Cemetery Rules & Regulations

Cemetery Right to Burial Site Rules and Regulations:

St. Stephen's Catholic Church is dedicated to preserving the sanctity of Calvary Cemetery with your cooperation.

Please adhere to the following maintenance and care rules:

• One approved metal plant stand per burial is permitted; shepherd hooks are not allowed.
• All markers or monuments must be made of natural granite or marble.
• Plant stand containers may contain natural or artificial plants.
• Spring plants must be removed by October 1st and Christmas plants/wreaths must be removed by March 1st.
• No trinkets are allowed, including solar lights, statues, garden décor, handcrafted or personal memorabilia.
• The Cemetery Authority reserves the right to remove unsightly or non-conforming items as well as any vacant, unsightly, or improperly placed plant containers or plant stands.
• Small American flags are permitted one week before and after Memorial Day, July 4th, and Veteran’s Day.
• The addition of in-ground shrubs, flowers, trees, or pavers is prohibited unless placed by the Cemetery Authority.
• Mower access is required around all markers and monuments.
• To protect the irrigation system, no driving or parking on the grass is allowed.
• Any maintenance or repair of markers or monuments is the responsibility of the family of the deceased.

St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and Calvary Cemetery disclaim all responsibility for any loss or damage to items, markers, or monuments.

Columbarium Niche Rules and Regulations:

• Refrain from attaching any decorative or memorial items to the Niches or any exterior surfaces of the columbarium building.
• No trinkets or decorations may be placed around the Columbarium or in planting beds, including personal memorabilia.
• The Cemetery Authority reserves the right to remove any conforming items.

Thank you for your cooperation and respect for the sacred grounds of Calvary Cemetery.

Calvary Cemetery Yearly Spring Clean-Up

All non-conforming items will be removed from graves.  During the cleanup, designated volunteers will remove all items except for one plant stand per grave site containing one pot of flowers which is conforming. Unsightly and seasonal arrangements will be removed. 

Visit our Columbarium Page to find out more.

Silent City – 1975

Anoka County Historical Society & St. Stephen’s Catholic Church

According to a WPA survey completed in 1937, Calvary Cemetery began as a one acre plot that was consecrated and blessed by Father Hurth, 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.  Fr. Maurer, a mission priest from the Dayton mission, expanded the cemetery through a land transfer on September 13, 1872.  In 1873, Father McDermott (the first full time resident pastor for St. Stephen’s Catholic Church) 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 built 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.

For more information or to purchase a gravesite, please call the parish office at 763-421-2471.