The Christian Religion teaches that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, and that those of the just shall arise in glory.

Acting under this belief Christians in all ages have with love, veneration and care laid away the mortal remains of their brethren to await the glorious resurrection.

The Church of Christ has also established certain forms by which places of interments are consecrated to God for the disposition of Christians, and reverence for the places so permeated the faithful at all times that even the name "God's Acres" is transmitted to us from the Ages of Faith.

The Catholics in Newburgh had no suitable place to bury their dead. Ground was purchased by George Kuenline and Andrew Keller and donated for the use of a cemetery.

The plan was submitted to the Catholic Congregation of St. John Parish of Newburgh and by them approved.

The ground donated is about one mile northeast of Newburgh on Hwy 261 and being just east of the adjoining Rose Hill Cemetery.

The original plotting of the grounds was done by O.A. Lett in lots and avenues as can be seen by the plans furnished by him.

By the powers vested in him as Pastor of St. John Catholic Church, Newburgh, Indiana, Father James Rogers, in 1960, authorized a survey of the cemetery. This was done by Mr. Leo Wilsbacher and Father Rogers.

In 1968, Father Rogers appointed Donald Simpson and Edward Scheessele to replot the Cemetery where necessary, draw a new map reflecting the replotting and showing the straightening of St. John Avenue so that it may be used as the primary route through the cemetery. The way this has been done will be evident to any person examining the map and plot furnished.

On September 21, 1970 at a regularly called meeting, William Wedding, Edward Scheessele, Donald Simpson and Anthony Behme were appointed to revise the existing bylaws of the St. John Cemetery Board. These revisions were presented to the Cemetery Board at a special meeting on October 12, 1970. Finalized edition was presented to the Parish Council for approval.

The first Trustees appointed by the pastor of St. John Parish were John Leinenbach, Joseph Brumley and O.A. Lett, who were instructed to draft rules and regulations of the cemetery and bring them before the congregation for approval. The rules were accordingly written and adopted by the congregation on January 1, 1896.

The grounds that were laid out originally by Mr. O.A. Lett have been expanded by the latest survey. There are three avenues, St. Mary, St. John and St. Rose. Each is twelve feet wide. The area around the Calvary is a grass plot on which the cross stands. This area is reserved for the burial of clergy. The entire cemetery is now laid out in five sections and all gravesites are numbered. St. John Avenue is the primary route through the cemetery.

On March 13, 2001, the parish purchased another 3.8 acres at 5020 Bell Road with the intention of building a mausoleum. In 2002, plans were initiated for construction on the Bell Road property. On Sunday, December 3, 2006, Father Joseph L. Ziliak, Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, led a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the mausoleum — 360 crypts and 240 niches for cremated remains — the first to be built in Warrick County. A simple blessing ceremony of a rugged cross, draped with a white cloth marking the spot of the front door took place at the site. The first interment was December, 2007. Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger presided at the dedication of the mausoleum May 18, 2008.

McCleskey Mausoleum Associates of Atlanta, Georgia, were in charge of construction. Board members Rev. Joseph L. Ziliak, Pastor, Jerry Brown, Merrill Effinger, Gary Folz, Paul Halter, Eldon Hopkins, Frank Howard, Robert Kase, Jerry Krack, Angela Knust, Rev. Ron Kreilein, Barbara Lechner, Marcellus Loehr, Paul Martin, George Provence, Lynda Provence, Angelo Ruehmkorff, Richard Schaefer, Robert Seiber, Edgar Spahn, Robert Titzer, and Bob Yancey served at various times throughout the construction project. Dedication was held on Sunday, May 18, 2008 with Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger present to bless the site.

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