St. Joseph Cemetery
150 years since the death on May 21, 1861 of Saint Eugene de Mazenod Founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.
We also remember Father Andre'-Marie Garin OMI, Founder of St. Joseph Cemetery in 1894, buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in 1895. Father Garin was born May 7, 1822 and knew our Founder personally before coming to North America in August 1844. He arrived in Lowell in 1868 after 12 years as a missionary to the Indians of Eastern Canada, then served briefly in Plattsburgh and Buffalo, New York. In Lowell, he founded St. Joseph Parish in 1868, Immaculate Conception Parish in 1872, and St. Jean Baptiste Church in 1888.
In 1892, the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate purchased fifty-seven acres in East Chelmsford for a summer residence. Two years later, this land bought from the McKenndy family became St. Joseph Cemetery. The first burial took place in March, 1894. The founder of the Cemetery, Rev. Andre'-Marie Garin O.M. I., was buried here in February, 1895.
Over the years, St. Joseph Cemetery has acquired an addition forty-four acres. Our continual planning and developing of new burial spaces throughout the cemetery unites past, present, and future generations.
St. Joseph Cemetery stands out as a result of its many years of compassion and dedication.