In 2024, Resurrection Cemetery has important plans for the beautification of its mausoleum and grounds, and the diocese is implementing an online grave search feature.
History and background
Resurrection Cemetery serves all Catholics in Madison, as well as surrounding communities like Monona and McFarland that do not have their own Catholic cemetery.
Resurrection Cemetery also serves communities that have a Catholic cemetery that is full, like Middleton.
Resurrection Cemetery was formed shortly after the Diocese of Madison was established in 1946, by joining and expanding two existing Catholic cemeteries, Calvary Cemetery and Holy Cross Cemetery.
Calvary Cemetery was formed in 1863 with separate German and Irish sections. Holy Cross Cemetery was opened nearby in the early 1920s.
Then in 1953, these cemeteries were consolidated by the diocese into Resurrection Cemetery.
In 1966 the Cemetery Chapel was built, and it was expanded in 1977 to include the Chapel Mausoleum.
Beautification of the mausoleum
For the first time, Resurrection Cemetery is now offering indoor niche space in the new Archangel Columbarium, located in the Chapel Mausoleum.
The name comes from planned adornments, marble reliefs, of the archangels and Mary, Queen of Angels.
The three archangels, St. Raphael, patron of the Diocese of Madison and of physicians; St. Gabriel, patron of postal workers, radio and television, and diplomats; and St. Michael, patron of soldiers, police officers, and bankers, will be depicted in marble relief to decorate the mausoleum.
To complete this project, donations in memory of loved ones are being encouraged and gratefully accepted.
Go to madisondiocese.org/angels for more information. The chapel doors are open each day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Electronic fobs, available for purchase in the office, allow access at other times.
Online search feature
Another development for 2024 is an online cemetery search feature that allows families to verify whether a loved one is buried in Resurrection Cemetery or one of the three other diocesan cemeteries.
The search feature offers the name and written grave location, but is not connected to an online map. At this time, office staff will still need to assist families and researchers in locating the grave precisely. Integration with an online map is planned for 2025, as budget allows.
To try it out, visit madisondiocese.org/find-a-loved-one.
More beautification projects
In 2024, Resurrection Cemetery has four beautification projects planned.
The first is to replace the statue near the corner of Speedway and Hillcrest.
Last year, the statue blew over in a windstorm and was very badly damaged. The plan is to replace it with a beautiful bronze statue of a saint. Exactly which saint however, is to be determined in conversation with a generous donor.
The second project is the installation of a stained-glass window in the Chapel Mausoleum that depicts Jesus raising Lazarus — an event intimately linked to the Resurrection.
Third, Resurrection Cemetery is planning for the installation of a crucifix behind the altar in the chapel.
Lastly, Resurrection Cemetery is continuing the program of replacing trees lost to weather damage, disease, and age.
Trees are an important element of the beauty of Resurrection Cemetery. Trees improve air quality, reduce temperatures in the summer, and are host to myriad of wildlife. Tree donors may memorialize their donation with a small granite marker.
To learn more about sponsoring a tree, visit madisondiocese.org/tree.
Anyone interested in sponsoring or learning more about the numerous Resurrection Cemetery projects is encouraged to contact the Director of Cemeteries Damian Lenshek. He can be reached at damian@madisondiocese.org or 608-821-3055.