Within the last several years, the church that owns this land, suddenly demolished the old cemetery to make room for school expansion.  The old graves were dug up and relocated to a mass grave.  Some stones were broken during the move and no longer exist for posterity to enjoy, some others were carelessly placed within the area of the newer cemetery section, and yet others were buried in the mass grave!

Re-interment List

Thank you, Tom of genealogysource.com for this list! 

 1. Basler, Carolyn ( Oct. 11, 1882-Aug 17, 1891) "Gone To Be An Angel"
 2. Beauert/Beaveri, Crescentia (Jun 4, 1811 -Dec 26, 1887) wife of Tho's Stoetzle
 3. * Boyer, beloved dau. of J.L. & M. Boyer (Dec 22, 1872 - Jan 27, 1873)
 4. *Boyer, Felicien (1839 - Mar 21, 1870) [wife of Jacob]
 5. Boyer, Josephine M. (Oct. 1, 1862 - June 14, 1894) wife of Louis J. Boyer
 6. *Boyer, John L. Jr. ( Feb 21, 1832 - Jun 23, 1859)
 7. Boyer, L. ( - Jan 1, 1902)
 8. *Boyer, Leocadie (Sep 30, 1852 - Nov 12, 1874) wife of Louis Boyer
 9. *Boyer, Martha M. (Sep 6, 1834 - Nov 22, 1910) beloved wife of Jacob Boyer
10. Boyer, Phelomina (Jan 28, 1861 - Sep 7, 1893) wife of Wm. Boyer
11. *Boyer, Reine (Aug 12, 1834/7 - Jul 1, 1859) wife of Edward Boyer
12. *Boyer, Richard F. (Nov 11, 1871 - Mar 10, 1933/53)
13. *Caliot, Melanie (Sep 14, 1804 - Apr 14, 1880) wife of John Caliot
14. *Carron, Malone (Dec 11, 1810 - Jun 12, 1880) wife of Joseph Carron; "May She Rest In Peace"
15. *Carron, Damase G. (Apr 27, 1861 - May 15, 1862)
16. Carron, Effie L.( - 1894)
17. *Carron, Ellen (Apr 9, 1855 - Mar 25, 1883)
18. *Carron, Frank J. (Sep 16, 1833 - Jul 19, 1875) "May He Rest In Peace"
19. Carron, H. L. (Jun 6, 1881 - May 5, 1899)
20. Carron, Jessie L. ( - 1894)
21. *Carron, John (May 6, 1832 - Dec 6, 1901) "Eternal rest Grant Him, O Lord, And Let Eternal Light Shine On Him. May He Rest In Peace. Amen"
22. *Carron, John C. (May 20, 1858 - Aug 31, 1866)
23. *Carron, John J. O. (Oct 10, 1865 - Jun 8, 1866)
24. Carron, Leon J. (Nov 24, 1870 - Nov 20, 1882) "The Christian son, By death set free, The parents left sad-hearted; In Heaven shall reunited be, And never more be parted."
25. *Carron, Mary Ann (1819 - Feb 25, 1897)
26. *Carron, Mary O. C. (Jun 13, 1863 - Aug 25, 1866)
27. *Carron, Mary P. J. (Feb 2, 1865 - Aug 25, 1866)
28. *Carron, Matilda (Aug 10, 1822 - Apr 14, 1894)
29. Carron, Odile Diana ( - 1894)
30. Carron, Pelagie (Jul 1, 1840 - Dec 24, 1895)
31. *Carrow, Emely (Sep 19, 1847 - Sep 1, 1872) dau. of Joseph & Malandy Carrow
32. *Drury, Caroline (Dec 29, 1861 - Jul 21, 1934) [Caroline Hermann Drury, wife of Cyrus Drury]
33. *Drury, Clothilde (Mar 22, 1838 - July 31, 1880) wife of Michael [V.] Drury [Clothile Calliot Dury]
34. *Drury, Cyrus (Jan 18, 1859 - Sep 24, 1915)
35. *Drury, Dora Melanie (Apr 2, 1880 - Aug 25, 1896) dau. of M.V. & C. Drury, _____pled of John Drury
36. *Drury, John B. (Feb 1, 1823 - Apr 10, 1901)
37. *Drury, Mary O. (Dec 4, 1804 - Dec 19, 1878) wife of John Drury, Sr. [Mary Olympe Placet Drury, founders of Bloomsdale]
38. *Drury, Mary C. (May 2, 1831 - Jan 25, 1903) wife of Clem Drury [Mary Cornelia Carron Drury]
39. Ehler, Valentine T. (Aug 15, 1896 - Nov 23, 1819) "A little time on earth he spent, Till God for him his angel sent."
40. Grass, Florence J. (May 10, 1916 - Jul 26, 1917) dau. of P.F. & S. Grass "Gone to be an angel"
41. Grundmeyer, John A. (Apr 17, 1892 - Aug 11, 1893) son of H. A. & C. G. Grundmeyer
42. Hassel, Msgr. Henry (Aug 30, 1873 - Dec 18, 1955) pastor of St. Philomena Church for 46 years;
43. *Hermann, Regina (Jan 17, 1858 - July 26, 1869)
44. Jokerst, Barnard (Nov 2, 1849 - Apr 14, 1894) husband of P. J. Jokerst, "Farewell my wife and children all; From you a father Christ does call; Mourn not for me, it is in vain; To call me to your sight again."
45. Jokerst, Pauline (May 4, 1860 - Jul 10, 1882)
46. Jokerst, Rosine P. (Mar 9, 1882 - Oct 15, 1890) "Hier ruht in Gott" "Die Liebern die der Tod getrennt vereint der Himmel wieder."
47. Kertz, Appolonia (Aug 8, 1832 - Jun 10, 1907) wife of John "We labored together, We rest together, Asleep in Jesus, Blessed sleep."
48. Kertz, John (Jun 18, 1831 - May 30, 1896)
49. Lakebrink, Rev. John (Oct 31, 1891 - July 6, 1974) pastor of Holy Martyrs Church of Japan 1925-1949; SS. Philip & James Church 1949-1963
50. Lalumondier, Adolph (1842 - 1914) father
51. Lalumondier, Clotilda (1847-1930) mother
52.*Lalumondier, Louis (Jan 30, 1813 - Feb 8, 1872)
53. *Lalumondier, Palagia (Feb 7, 1818 - May 10, 1896) wife of Louis Lalumondier [Pelagie Boyer Lalumondier]
54. Lalumondier, Rosamon (Jul 27, 1861 - Jan 4, 1889)
55. LaRose, Louis, Jr. (Nov 15, 1849 - Dec 22, 1881)
56. LaRose, Vital (May 22, 1840 - Dec 25, 1893)
57. LaRose, Cora (Aug 11, 1865 - Mar 26, 1900) wife of Felix LaRose
58. LaRose, Elizabeth (Jan 9, 1873 - Apr 1, 1960) wife of Felix
59. LaRose, Felicity (Feb 10, 1856 - Sep 20, 1881)
60. LaRose, Felix (Jan 13, 1856 - Oct 5, 1940) buried with Elizabeth
61. LaRose, Laura (Jan 13, 1859 - Nov 13, 1883) wife of Felix
62. LaRose, Julie (Aug 5, 1821 - Jul 29, 1897)
63. LaRose, Mary V. (Mar 3, 1846 - Jan 23, 1897) wife of V.P. LaRose
64. *LaRose, Louis, Sr. (Mar 2, 1818 - Apr 20, 1900)
65. Ledeur, Francis (Jun 13, 1816 - Apr 27, 1874) "A father kind, A husband dear, A faithful friend, Lies buried here"
66. Cherlevill, Jule (Nov 30, 1851 - Sep 25, 1902)
67. Loida, Annie M. (Jun 7, 1888 - Jun 14, 1888)
68. Morice, Frank (1854 - 1934)
69. Morice, Mrs. Louis A. (Oct 25, 1857 - Apr 18, 1894) "Our mother"
70. Mudock, James (Jun 15, 1800 - Nov 30, 1882)
71. *Placite, Ambrose (Apr 4, 1844 - Oct 25, 1914) "R.I.P."
72. *Plaset, Mursleat (Oct, 1825 - Apr 8, 1896) wife of Isaac Plaset
73. Primo, Emily (Aug 26, 1861 - Mar 13, 1881)
74. Primo, Peter C. (Nov 18, 1892 - Mar 9, 1893) son of Peter J. & Emily S. Primo
75. Primo, Julia C. (Apr 25, 1873 - Jul 6, 1849) dau. of P. & M. O. Primo
76. Primo, Mary P. (Nov 29, 1872 - Sep 24, 1873) Dau. of P. J. & E. S. Primo
77. Primo, Peter (Feb 28, 1821 - Jun 5, 1898)
78. Rosi, Father Aloysius ( - 1853)
79. Schweiss, Frank X. (Aug 31, 1871 - Jan 28, 1899)
80. Spalding, Bennett (Aug, 1801 - May 19, 1863)
81. Spalding, Peliza (1807 - Mar 1, 1850) wife of Bennett Spalding
82. Sucher, Katherina (Oct 5, 1854 - Sep 5, 1898) "Mother, thou wast mild and lovely, Gentle as the summer breeze"
83. Sucher, Mary T. (Sep 8, 1877 - Feb 9, 1894) "Here rests in peace"
84. Thomure, Clalie M. (Mar 25, 1853 - Sep 19, 1919)
85. *Thomure, Juliet (Jul 4, 1835 - Apr 8, 1894)
NOTE: the following were not listed in the church filings in court, but were between the stones removed and so also are now missing; included in these would be five stones unreadable when the church filed their court papers:
86. Unknown ( Nov 17, 1902)
87. Kirchner, Katharina (Mar 5, 1858 - Jan 20, 1901)
88. Hipes, Bartley (1827 - 1902) "Dearest father we loved thee"
89. Jokerst , Louisa J. (Nov. 23, 1875 - Apr 17, 1895)
90. LaBruyer, Effie F. (Aug 31, 1882 - Nov 18, 1894) dau. of Louis & Diana LaBruyer
91. Kennedy, John Franklin (Feb 5, 1886 - Jun 6, 1887)
92. Boyer, Cornelia M. (Jan 28, 1854 - Nov 24, 1888) wife of Alexis H. Boyer
93. Carron, Infant of John & Mary
94. Primo, Felista (Aug 9, 1858 - Dec 31, 1876) dau of Peter & Mary Olimp. Primo
95. Sucher, Sophia (May 15, 1843 - Feb 13, 1870)
96. Labruyere, H. J. (Dec 31, 1844)

NOTE: The following 5 markers were apparently moved to a new location; the remaining 91 on the above list were buried in the mass grave.
1. Cyrus and Caroline Hermann Drury
2. John & Clotilda Drury
3. Father Lakebrink
4. Felix & Elizabeth LaRose
5. Father Rosi

*indicates online pictures of the cemetery stones at http://www.genealogysource.com/bloom_cem_index.htm.

Photos of the memorial

These photos were contributed by Betty O'Bryan - thank you, Betty!!!
Please click on them for a bigger view.

The following photos were taken by the webmaster showing the area where the old cemetery once was (and now there is nothing) as well as the memorial again.  Click here to see a larger image (panorama from four photos) of the monument for detail of the names and dates (please forgive the black on the edges, they didn't match up perfectly).

Articles

St. Agnes Parish Under Fire For Relocation Of Graves;
Archdiocese Says It Will Pay For and Install Monument

By Jean Feld Rissover
The Ste. Genevieve Herald
(Wed August 28, 2002)
 

The removal of gravestones at St. Agnes Cemetery – an important step in the parish’s plans for the future – has come under fire, promoting the St. Louis Archdiocese to issue a statement saying it “regrets” the situation.

It has been over two years since the church proposed the disinterment of about 90 graves in the oldest portion of the cemetery, saying there was no other practical way to deal with the parish’s construction needs.  The project includes an addition to St. Agnes School, which is one of the fastest growing in the county, and the erection of a multipurpose center.

The church made a formal legal announcement in July 2001, including information about the burials, some of which date from the 19^th century.  Parish officials said the disinterment would be carried out under the guidance of the St. Louis Archdiocese’s cemetery office.  In the period prior to the legal publication of notice, the matter had been discussed in the parish and the community.

St. Agnes Parish was founded at the Mission of St. Matthew’s on the Establishment Creek in 1835.  In 1839 the name was changed to St. Philomena on the Establishment.  The church became a parish in 1848.  The name was changed from St. Philomena to St. Agnes in 1961.  The first church was a log structure.  A stone church was built in the 1860’s.  The back wall of that building collapsed in 1990 and the old church was replaced by the current structure.

The cemetery had been undisturbed throughout the church’s history, until this summer, when some 90 graves were removed and a mass burial was conducted.  The old headstones were buried along with the remains.  Church officials say space considerations in the cemetery required that approach to the relocation.

Apparently, the fact that the stones were not placed elsewhere in the community was what spurred the critical comment, including a letter to the editor published earlier this year in the Herald.

Last week, the issue turned up on a new show on KFVS TV Channel 12 in Cape Girardeau.  In a Channel 12 interview, Ste. Genevieve resident Joan Eydmann said the “the graves were all bulldozed” and put into a mass grave, along with the headstones.  Eydmann remarked that “people will want to go back and look at their history, but it’s gone.”  She called the headstones “a piece of art.”

Eydmann has no relatives buried at the cemetery, however she told the Herald last Thursday that she was speaking for about a dozen out-of-town people who do.

One is a Delaware man who meticulously maintains a genealogy website devoted to the Stevenson clan, a family that is tied to a number of the pioneer families in the Bloomsdale area.  Tom Stevenson’s website says that he has relatives who are buried in the cemetery, and he view the cemetery as an important source of genealogical information.

Since the graves were relocated this summer, Stevenson’s website has criticized the fact that “most of the historic stones were lost forever,” calling on “descendants and other parties” to lobby the church to dig up the stones and lay them flat, elsewhere in the cemetery, or “at a minimum, to erect a monument listing the names and dates of these pioneer ancestors at the new grave site.”

Apparently, the lobbying effort has worked.  In response to the criticism, the Archdiocese issued a statement last Tuesday, saying it “regrets that a portion of [the St. Agnes cemetery] was moved in a manner that leaves no markers to identify person who had been buried in the space which the parish needed for a school expansion.”

The release continues, “Having recently been made aware of this situation and the concern it has caused fort he descendants of persons buried at [the cemetery], the Archdiocese is pleased to fund the construction and installation of a monument that will mark the names and dates of persons who had been buried at the site.”

The statement continued, “Christian burial is a sacred rite that should be supported by perpetual stewardship.  As such, it is only fitting that a memorial should be constructed that will mark the burial spot of Catholic forbearers in Ste. Genevieve County who helped to build a vibrant church there.”

Whether that will entirely satisfy the critics isn’t clear.  But the church and Archdiocese apparently did satisfy all the legal requirements for the relocation or removal of grave sites.  The church got expert advice on how to handle the relocation.  It contacted all the descendants it could find to secure consent for the action, and got a court order allowing it to remove graves for whom descendants could not be located.

“I knew they had the court order to relocate the graves.  I just don’t think anybody expected them to do it the way they did,” Eydmann told the Herald.

As of last week, local parish officials were referring all quests for comment to the Archdiocese.

More about all this:

1. When we first heard about this, and members of the MOSTEGEN list at Rootsweb.com started contacting the church, the Priest there told us that it was all done under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese.
2. Members then called the Archdiocese who then said that they had nothing to do with it, that it was all up to the church.  No one wanted to accept responsibility.  A lot of run-around continued.
3. When we demanded that a monument be put up in honor of those re-interred, we were told that they would "gladly accept a donation" for it, but that they had no funds.  They ruin history and want us to pay for it?
4. After more pressure, the result you see is the above article.  Just beware that when you have read the article, it's not the whole story....

Update: the monument has been installed, see above.