Erie County Genealogy

St. John's Lutheran Church - Old Cemetery

There was formerly a cemetery near the corner of Sassafras Street and 23rd Street which became unused in the later part of the 19th century. Supposedly most burials were relocated to Erie Cemetery around the turn of the century, but some remained, apparently to satisfy a deed requirement. Several years ago, a recording was made of all remaining graves, and any remaining stones were buried, the remains were left untouched, and the site is now used for other purposes. There is a 'flat in the ground' single stone memorial plaque between a parking lot and the back of the Lutheran Home with 30 names recorded. Audry Mascharka advised that there is also a listing in the St. John's Lutheran Church office, which she transcribed. There is one additional name on that list which is not on the stone as indicated by an asterisk below. Audry Mascharka also reported that she believes that at least two other of her ancestors or relatives could have been buried here but without grave stones and that her great grandmother was buried here in 1866 and then her body was moved in 1876 to Erie Cemetery. She believes the cemetery must have closed in that period of time. In addition to the 30 names, the stone reads - "ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH CEMETERY DEDICATED TO THE FOLLOWING ON APRIL 11, 1996" followed by the names and dates and at the bottom "AND WE HONOR THOSE ALSO BURIED HERE WHOSE NAMES ARE KNOWN ONLY TO GOD".

To the left and at the top of the page are pictures of the memorial site, while the photo above and at the bottom of the page are close up views of the memorial stone.

Photographs taken by William Klauk September & November 2000.

Listing provided by Audry Mascharka September 2000.

Contents on memorial stone read by William Klauk September-November 2000.