30) St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Cemetery

St. Anthony Of Padua Roman Catholic Cemetery

St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Cemetery

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This site is located in Elma, on Hwy. 11, South of CNR tracks.  St. Anthony’s was the spiritual center of three churches: Elma, St. Augustine’s in Whitemouth, and St. John the Baptist in Hadashville. St. Anthony’s history traces back to Father Anthony Polaska who first looked after the Polish immigrants in Elma. The wood frame church was dedicated on June 13th 1912. The first burial in its cemetery occurred in 1917. In 1938, Father Francis Slusarz, who was the first resident priest, built the rectory situated beside the church. The Priests who serviced Hadshville, Elma and Whitemouth lived in the rectory until the church closed in 1975.  The rectory is now a private residence. The church was taken down in August of 1994.  The cemetery is being maintained by some family members of the deceased.  New signage and a serenity garden with statues and benches have been added for those choosing to sit and reflect.  A pictorial history has been erected in memory of the church’s pioneers.

Additional Details

Civic Number: 59 024 PTH 11  l    Amenities on Site: Outhouse; benches; reflective gardens   l    Building on Site: No; Cemetery on site

Courtesy of Gary Robertson