Savannah’s Catholic Cemetery was established by Bishop Francis Xavier Gartland (1805-1854) in 1853 when local politicians denied the congregation’s request for a specially consecrated section in Laurel Grove. An eight-acre purchase on the grounds of the former Rhinehart Plantation was the genesis of this large park-like necropolis. Many remains first buried in Colonial Park were re-interred here, which explains the memorials which predate the existence of the Catholic Cemetery. Surprisingly, this property is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While Bonaventure, Colonial Park, and the Laurel Grove cemeteries get scores of visitors, the Catholic Cemetery is often overlooked.
After the surrender of Savannah to General Sherman’s troops on 23 November 1864, Union soldiers encamped here for a time and are known to have desecrated graves. Some of these were restored in 1867 after pleas by Bishop Augustin Verot to President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Several additions have expanded the cemetery over the years.
The memorials and monuments depicted here are presented in no particular order, and I will add more images in the future.
It’s rare to see pets buried in human cemeteries. Prince, a beloved companion of Patrick Hagan (1843-1912), is one of the most sought-out and photographed monuments in the Catholic Cemetery.
This depiction of a welcoming Christ graces a Buttimer family plot and is located near the cemetery entrance.
This is one of two memorials for Joseph Truchelut, a native of Rehon, France. He was originally buried in Colonial Park and re-interred here in the 1850s.
This grotto, the only vernacular memorial I found in the Catholic Cemetery, is located beside the grave of Frank Kennedy.
Mary Raffial was born in St. Augustine and died in Savannah in 1859. The willow seen on her headstone was a common theme in Victorian funerary art, representing sorrow and the acceptance of loss.
This was the Hugh Cullens family vault. Cullens was a native of Ireland. Brick mausoleums of this design were popular in mid-19th century Savannah.
John Cass was an Irish immigrant. His obituary in the Savannah Morning News noted: “…Mr. Cass was, at the time of his death, the proprietor of the City Hotel, and Vice President of the Hibernian Society. His remains were followed to the grave…by the Chatham Artillery, members of the Hibernian Society, and a large concourse of citizens.”
This is another typical 19th-century mausoleum design found in various Savannah cemeteries, with stacked granite and marble trim. Mr. Monahan was a private in Olmstead’s 1st Georgia Infantry during the Civil War.
This mausoleum was installed in 1906. William Doody was an Irish immigrant.
This Gothic Steeple monument is unique in the Catholic Cemetery, though the style can be found in other historic Savannah locations.
John Rourke, Sr., immigrated to America from County Wicklow, Ireland. His wife, Johanna Reedy Rourke (1845-1940), was from County Limerick.
A cherub and cross mark the final resting place of two of John and Johanna Rourke’s children.
John Flannery was an Irish immigrant, born in Nenagh, County Tipperary, who became one of the most prominent citizens of Savannah. The captain of the Irish Jasper Greens, he was beloved by his fellow soldiers and remained active in commemorations and parades honoring their service well into old age. He organized and served as president of the Southern Bank, which later merged with the Citizens Bank to become the Citizens and Southern Bank (C&S).
His monumental memorial, featuring a depiction of the crucified Christ, is among the most notable in the Catholic Cemetery.
This Confederate soldier, standing atop a much taller base, memorializes the 28 members of the Irish Jasper Greens who died during the Civil War. It was erected in 1910.
These cross memorials are quite impressive, and larger than they appear in the photograph.
This Celtic cross features the name “Frank” at the center.
A memorial published on the anniversary of Mrs. Johnston’s death in the Savannah Morning News on 15 March 1909 noted: “…Mrs. Johnston worked as a trained nurse under Dr. James B. Read for twenty-four years and, before the era of the professional trained nurse, was considered the best nurse that Savannah could boast of. She was noted for her many deeds of charity and cared as tenderly for those who could give no reward as if they were the wealthiest in the land…” Mrs. Johnston was a native of Charleston.
The lamb is a typical symbol on the graves of children. This memorial was created by Savannah’s most accomplished monument maker, John Walz.
This sarcophagus-style memorial features elements of the Egyptian Revival.
Mrs. Maggioni was a Swiss immigrant of Italian ancestry. Her memorial is quite beautiful.
Those familiar with Savannah cemeteries are likely aware of the work of John Walz. He is perhaps best known for his cherubs.
These cherubs are often located at the corners of small pillar stones and are quite distinctive.
They survive in various conditions.
This memorial features a depiction of the Pietà.
Christ depicted with the Crown of Thorns is but a small part of this memorial, but quite poignant.
The angel in a grotto adorning the gravesite of Lula Margaret Smith was created by John Walz.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of the most common symbols in Catholic iconography and is often depicted as pierced or flaming, surrounded by thorns.
