Church Street Graveyard

Church Street Graveyard was founded in 1819, replacing the Campo Santo that was located at the site of the present Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception as the city's main place of burial.[1] The new cemetery was not officially acquired from local landowner William E. Kennedy by the city of Mobile until a year later, in 1820.[1] Mobile's city officials divided the cemetery into three sections. The northeastern third was designated for Catholics, the southeastern third for Protestants, and the remaining western portion a "graveyard for strangers". Masons, Odd Fellows, veterans, and the indigent incidentally came to be interred in this western section.[1] The cemetery was closed to burial in 1898, though a few modern burials have taken place by special city resolution.[1]

Many of the gravestones at Church Street Graveyard are significant examples of stone carving work done in New England and the Gulf Coast in the early 19th century.[2] The cemetery also contains early examples of wrought and cast iron work.[1]

The more notable interments include:

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  A tomb in Church Street Graveyard.
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  Grave of Joe Cain, founder of modern Mardi Gras.
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  An example of iron work in Church Street Graveyard.
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  A sculptural tombstone in Church Street Graveyard.