Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Churchyard

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Churchyard

In the summer of 1887 Father Howard purchased land for the parish. By August 26 of 1888 the basement was finished and pastor Michael Howard served the first masses there.  He died that year and was buried alongside his church (Findagrave page at the prior link). In the image above, the burial site of Michael Howard is on the steps of the church between the main portal of the church and the right door. He has a gravestone.

The body of Michael Howard had been disinterred and reinterred in the Calvary Cemetery in 1974 when the church was razed. A new gravestone was used.

Saint Jerome Churchyard

Saint Jerome Churchyard

Jeremiah O’Callaghan was the first priest and when he died the next year he was buried alongside the east wall of the young church. He was the first priest buried alongside his church in Holyoke. Father Michael Howard was buried alongside Rosary Church and Father Andre Dufresne was buried alongside the Precious Blood Church.  Father Sullivan served for 5 years and started Saint Jerome Cemetery.  Then came the Builder – Father Patrick Joseph Harkins.  He started many institutions and had built many structures.