Calvary Cemetery in Yakima
1405 S 24th Ave.
Yakima, Yakima County, Washington 98902
509-457-8462
Also known as Calvary Catholic Cemetery
Calvary Cemetery History
Ten acres of land were purchased in June 1903 for a Catholic cemetery in Yakima, Washington. Father Conrad Brusten blessed the ground and officially opened the cemetery, which was named Calvary.
In 1951 Bishop Joseph P. Dougherty, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Yakima, dedicated the
outdoor altar built entirely by Catholic War Veteran volunteers. The memorial is a raised tiled
platform with a brick arch protecting an outdoor altar where Mass is celebrated each Memorial
Day. The memorial honors all veterans who died defending our country.
In 1962, Bishop Dougherty set aside a portion of the cemetery's land as a burial plot for priests.
In 1966, the present office building and shop were built. Jack and Bessie Kramer, who now rest
in its ground, managed the cemetery for 36 years and retired in 1978.
On Mother's Day in 1993, the Memorial for the Unborn was dedicated. It is located in the north-
east corner of Block J. The memorial is not only a remembrance of lives lost to abortion but also
for the parents and families who have lost a child due to miscarriage.
On September 30, 2000, after a yearlong pre-sales program and a year of Construction, the
Bishop Carlos Sevilla, S.J., dedicated the Chapel Mausoleum. The mausoleum is ready for
crypt entombment or niche inurnment with spaces available for purchase. Guests are welcome
to visit the mausoleum during office hours Monday through Friday.
In 2004, a new cemetery administration office was built through the generosity of the family
and estate of James W. Scott
