Latest News

Hurricane Ike
Catholic Cemeteries after Ike

Hurricane Ike Sept. 12, 2008  Catholic Cemeteries

On Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 we began preparations for Hurricane Ike.  We boarded up the offices at Calvary and Mount Olivet Cemeteries, tied down objects, and secured equipment.  On Thursday morning an evacuation notice was given for Galveston Island . At Mount Olivet the records vault was sealed and the office closed at noon.

Hurricane Ike’s assault began on Friday evening.  The eye crossed Galveston Island in the early hours of Saturday morning, September 13.  The dawns early light shocked us with a scene of warlike devastation.

Our main office at Mt. Olivet in Dickinson had power on Monday.  Our staff began the arduous tasks removing hazards to ensure a safe environment for employees and visitors and removing downed trees, broken limbs and other debris.  It was a full week to evaluate the damage to all five cemeteries.

Mt. Olivet in Dickinson had several downed trees, many broken limbs, some fence damage and a few roof shingles blown off.  No flooding occurred even though we are located on Dickinson Bayou.  Several monuments were blown over by the wind.

Calvary Cemetery in Galveston was submerged in the storm surge.  Roughly 600 upright monuments were laid flat.  The office and shop was flooded.  The fence on the North and East side was heavily damaged.  Our grounds crew has worked tirelessly to reset the monuments and remove the debris.  Any monuments that still need to be reset are too large for Cemetery equipment to safely reset.  The trees, shrubs and other plants were severely damaged by the salt water.  Replanting will begin in the spring.

Old Catholic Cemetery in Galveston was flooded from the storm surge but the cemetery faired rather well.  There was minor fence damage.  A few monuments were blown over and the crucifix that sits atop the grotto chapel in was broken.  A barrier wall of debris came to rest along the east fence line.

Holy Cross Cemetery in Houston lost some of the most beautiful old oak and cedar trees.  It almost looked as though God had gently laid them over as to not disturb the old monuments and statues in Holy Cross.  Heavy damage occurred to a majority of the trees that were left standing.  Water blew in at the doors of the mausoleum ruining the carpet which has been replaced.

Saint Vincent Cemetery at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Houston suffered the loss of several trees.

We at Catholic Cemeteries have been very blessed considering the devastation suffered by our community due to Hurricane Ike.  All burials in our cemeteries remained in place.  Of all the monuments and trees that fell only a few stones had chips or scratches and only two were damaged.  We were able to serve families immediately after the storm.