St. Patrick Cemetery

St. Patrick Cemetery

Brief History

The original purchase of the land for the cemetery was done on July 3, 1865, by Archbishop John P. Fitzpatrick from Jedediah Washburn. The parcel of land was approximately 8 acres and was purchased for $812.50. It would be considered the eastern third of the cemetery today. In 1867, a strip along the edge of the pond consisting of roughly 2.5 acres was sold to Archbishop John J. Williams by the city of Boston to expand on the ownership of Dug Pond. These transactions occurred under the leadership of St. Patrick Church’s first Pastor, Reverand John Walsh. In 1890 Rev. Michael J. Delaney became our second Pastor and after completing the current St. Patrick Church building project, he put his attention on the cemetery. A general cleanup was done and the tomb on Pond St. was built in 1906. On May 2, 1914, Rev. Delaney enlarged the cemetery by purchasing an additional 10 acres, and in the middle of such he had two feature monuments erected. In May 1928 at the Memorial Day Mass, with over two thousand people in attendance, the CALVERY Group was dedicated. “St. Patrick Cemetery stands out as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the state, due in large measure to Father Delaney’s personal and devoted care.” (1.) The other monument, the cross of Calvery on the priest lot was erected two years earlier. In 1945 John A. Hill, for a nominal fee, sold the land between the tomb and the icehouse to the cemetery, and in 1953 the Town of Natick (from the city of Boston) sold another piece of land from Dug Pond to the cemetery for a dollar. This piece of land is where we have the baby section and the older maintenance garage. Nothing of any significance was done for nearly sixty years after the installation of the Calvary Group until Fr. Greer had the final 3.5 acres cleaned up from neglect and illegal dumping. At this time, he had new roads put in and resurfaced others. In addition, he installed a new fence along Pond St., and a new maintenance garage was built on the corner of Pond St. and Lakeview Ave in 1985.

In 2015, Reverend Michael MacEwen as Pastor of St. Patrick’s sold the unused St. Patrick School directly across from the Church. In his negotiations he required the buyers of the property to move the historic Jesus and child monument to St. Patrick’s Cemetery. The Jesus and child monument stood overlooking the St Patrick School entrance greeting all the children, staff, parents, and visitors who walked through her doors for generations. In 2023 Reverend George C. Hines in cooperation with Stone Gate and Joe Veil at the Mill City management group, made that vision come to fruition. The monument was placed in the infant section and dedicated to pregnancy and infant loss.

On Sunday, September 17, 2023, a special monument in the priest’s section and the Road adjacent was re-dedicated in memory of our beloved friend and Pastor Reverend Michael MacEwen (who had tragically passed away in March 2022). 

 In 2024 the maintenance garage was repainted and repaired. Fr. Hines had mature trees planted along Lakeview Ave. to add beauty and shade. After years of neglect and left bare, he worked with volunteers to replant and update the main entrance flower beds with flowers and rose bushes. 

In the spring of 2025, Rev. Hines continued his dedication to the cemetery and approved a capital improvement project. Several of the roads and 4 of the 5 entrances were resurfaced. This not only improves the quality of transportation within the cemetery but helps with drainage and ice issues during the winter months, allowing year-round access. It also gives back to the community, making it a comfortable and beautiful place for our neighbors and friends to walk and enjoy looking out onto Dug Pond. It is Rev. Hines hope that this sacred place will bring anyone who enters closer to God through the beauty He provides.

Rev. Hines is currently working with the Sisters of the Pius Disciples of the Divine Master on formally plotting out and developing the orders section to serve the order and further beautify our cemetery.

Our community cares deeply about our cemetery. Our cemetery provides a serene space for individuals to grieve and remember their loved ones. It is a sacred place by a lovely pond that supplies tranquility and comfort to our friends and neighbors in mourning. We must ensure that our cemetery continues to offer comfort and solace to future generations.

St. Patrick Cemetery operates outside the Parish finances on its own. Donations for its operation and expenses are always welcome.