Holy Family Cemetery

Holy Family Cemetery. . , (full title: Holy Family Cemetery For The Priests and Brothers of the Missionaries of the Holy Family), Early History of the Property , In the early 1900's the invention of the automobile enabled wealthier people to move into the country while their offices remained in the city. IN 1903, Charles D. Garnett, a wealthy paper manufacturer adopted the country estate idea with his purchase of "Wildwood" which was located on the Creve Coeur electric car line, seven miles west of the city limits. In addition to his beautiful brick home, he also built a cottage for his gardener and ice house, a large stable complete with carpenter and blacksmith shop. In 1909 the estate was purchased by Louis A. Cella. After Mr. Cella died in 1918, the estate was sold to a grocer, Frank Lind and his wife, Della where they lived until his death in 1939. Della Lind and other heirs sold "Wildwood" in 1944 to the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Holy Family. , Holy Family Seminary 2500 Ashby Road , For 47 years the Missionaries of the Holy Family resided at 2500 Ashby Road. In 1944 they purchased the estate in Overland developed it into the Holy Family Seminary for the North American Province. In this era, a seminary was often both a Minor Seminary (grades 9-12) and Major Seminary (College Level courses). The Holy Family Seminary grew into offering education at these levels. , Building the Seminary , At the main residence new dormitories and private rooms were complete on the third floor. In 1947 the convent was completed. In 1954 the Chapel Extension was completed which added a Chapel, Dining Room and annex to the main building., The print shop was responsible for the printing of not only seminary materials but also The Messenger periodical which went to the numerous patrons and supporters of the Missionaries of the Holy Family. This building was also a garage for all the grounds keeping equipment. The main dormitory used to be the carriage house for the original property. This was converted to dormitories by the summer of 1967. In November 1967 the gymnasium was started and completed and dedicated in May of 1968. The student bookstore began in the barn which was part of the original property, but after a fire that destroyed the barn a building was rebuilt in the same location., A residence across from the Seminary (10415 Midland) was purchased and used as the Provincial Office and Residence. Picnics and social gatherings were memorable times and often took place in the picnic area., Notable Features of the Property , A bridge from the Saint Louis 1904 World's Fair was relocated to the property prior to the ownership Missionaries of the Holy Family. During the years of the Seminary, the Holy Family Cemetery was established. The pond on the property is man made. The Missionaries greatly expanded size of the pond to its size today. The section on the east side is the additional portion of the pond., 47 Years of Education , IN the decade of the 1970's attendance to seminary had declined to the point that the minor seminary (high school) was discontinued but the Major Seminary remained for college level courses. In 1991, after 47 years of education on the property, the decision was made to close the Seminary and move the house of studies to San Antonio, Texas and sell the buildings and property on Ashby Road and Midland Avenue. Today the City of Overland owns the entire seminary property., Missionaries of the Holy Family Founding , The Missionaries of the Holy Family were founded on September 28, 1895 in Grave, Holland by Father John Berthier, who was a priest in the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette. John Berthier was born in Chatonnay, in the province of Dauphine, France on February 24 (unreadable) Father Berthier's purpose was to form an Order for the training (unreadable) to the priesthood for men who heard the calling later in (unreadable) Father John Berthier passed away on October 16, 1908. , Service in the North America , The Missionaries (unreadable) the United States in 1924 to Bull Dog Lake. Minnesota located in the Duluth (unreadable) established a parish for the settlers there. From there they came to St. Louis (unreadable) to help out in the German Parishes and the same year went to New Braunfels, Texas to work with the Spanish-speaking people in that area. In 1959 the Missionaries began serving in Mexico. In 1975 the Missionaries began serving in Canada. Since arriving in North America, the Missionaries served countless families and built numerous Churchs and Chapels in both the United States and Mexico which continue to serve the faithful. , Service in Saint Louis , In the Saint Louis area the Missionaries of the Holy Family served where needed which included supporting the following parishes , All Souls - Overland , Most Holy Rosary - North Saint Louis , Our Lady of the Presentation - Overland , St. Gregory's - St. Ann , Sts. John and James - Ferguson , St. Joseph's Church - Granite City, IL , St. Jude's - Overland , St. Kevin's - St. Ann , St. Lawrence the Martyr - Bridgeton , St. Luke the Evangelist - Richmond Heights , St. Mary's of Bridgeton - Bridgeton , St. Wencestaus - South St. Louis , St. William's - Woodson Terrace, The Missionaries served as Chaplains at: , Academy of the Sacred Heart - St. Charles , Cenacle Sisters - Frontenac , Christian Brothers High School - Clayton , Incarnate Word Convent - Normandy , Little Sisters of the poor - North and South Saint Louis , Mercy High School - University City , Pallottine Center - Florissant , St. Elizabeth Medical Center - Granite City, IL , St. Frances Cabrini Academy - Saint Louis , St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf - University City, Service Worldwide in over 22 countries , With over a century of service, the Congregation has served internationally in Argentina, Austria, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Madagascar, Mexico, Netherland, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.