While cemeteries are usually identified with sadness and grief, walking through the Holy Redeemer on a recent lovely September afternoon was anything but. The cemetery in part was softly shaded, and the wind blew softly through the trees as though in gentle conversation. Like a beacon of hope, a glimmer of sunshine glowed on the Redemptorist Fathers monument and a quiet sense of tranquility almost prevailed, among the beautiful and historic monuments. The cemetery was like a beautiful retreat, and only a short distance away, was the busy traffic of Richmond Street.

Holy Redeemer Cemetery was founded by the German population of St. Peters Church in 1886. It is bounded from Richmond Street to the Frankford Creek (at I-95) south of Orthodox Street. A Roman Catholic Cemetery, one had to be Catholic to be buried here in the early years. It is not known how many people are buried on these grounds because early records were all handwritten in old ledgers however, it is estimated that 45,000 to 50,000 graves exist. At present, Debrah Rivell and Deanna McHenry both of the Holy Redeemer staff are undertaking the painstaking task of compiling this information often written in a foreign hand, and putting it into a computer. Familiar Bridesburg names are evident as you walk throughout, including those men who served in the Civil War, World War II, Korean, and Vietnam, along with Saint Peter’s priests and many sisters. Many of Saint Peter’s priests who died in the 1840’s were removed from the church basement and were placed to rest in Holy Redeemer. The identity of the first person who was laid to rest here on October 16, 1886, is unknown.

Steve Jolly has been the caretaker at Holy Redeemer since 1985. He and five employees have the responsibility of taking care of the 17 acres which extend from Richmond Street to Salmon street, to Edgemont Street, to Thompson Street, to Almond Street to Belgrade Street. The majority of the stones come from Sander Monuments, whose history dates back to the early 1900’s are hand cut, a craft forgotten, as monuments are now sandblasted. Steve and his staff are in the process of locating stones which have sunken below the ground and setting the on the foundation as many of them over the years have become weather beaten.

The beautiful monument, located in the front portion near Richmond Street, belongs to the Redemptorist Fathers, who own the cemetery. This has recently been cleaned and restored. Holy Redeemer has at least 200 burials a year and people come far and near to locate their loved ones who may have been buried here. 

To see firsthand a piece of Bridesburg History, take a walk through Holy Redeemer. I suggest a sunny, fall afternoon.

The Richmond Street entrance to the Holy Redeemer Cemetery.