Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery
Also known as: 122-1036
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Why it's listed
Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery is a 30-acre burial ground in Norfolk, Virginia, set along the Lafayette River beside the Virginia Zoological Park. Father Matthew O'Keefe, founder of Saint Mary's Catholic Church, bought the land in 1854, and the cemetery was established that year in response to a yellow fever epidemic. It is one of the oldest monument cemeteries in the area and one of only eight Catholic cemeteries in Virginia. The grounds hold six family mausoleums, built between about 1898 and 1936 or possibly the late 1800s and early 1900s, along with a 1980 crypt mausoleum. A bronze World War I memorial crucifix by sculptor George A. Lober stands at the centre. Marble angels, statues, columns and unusual monuments add to the landscape, as do mature oak, cedar and magnolia trees. The cemetery was recognised for its landscape architecture and design, with a period of significance from 1854 to 1936. A lay board, a superintendent and volunteers continue to maintain it.
Significance in brief: The cemetery was established in 1854 after a yellow fever epidemic and is one of the oldest monument cemeteries in the area. It is one of only eight Catholic cemeteries in Virginia. It was evaluated under Criterion C for its design and funerary landscape, which includes mausoleums, statuary and monuments and retains good integrity.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 01000694, listed July 13, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 3000 Church St., Norfolk (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Norfolk |
| Listed | July 13, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000694 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1854-1936 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Mid 19th Century |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still an active cemetery, maintained by a lay board, a superintendent and a volunteer friends group; described as well preserved. |
| Acreage | 30 |
| Within district | Park Place Historic District |
| Coordinates | 36.87405, -76.28006 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 01000694.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16899608
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.