Columbarium

A columbarium is a structure with niches, or compartments, for urns containing ashes of the dead. In Latin the word is dovecote, reminiscent of a structure that might house doves or homing pigeons. Traditionally graveyards were adjacent to church buildings but this practice is less and less practical in crowded communities of today. The columbarium is a means by which one's remains may be kept in or near his or her parish church as an enduring place of rest.

The St. Joseph Columbarium has a total of 1,285 niches. Each niche is designed to hold the cremains of two people. It was dedicated on February 22, 2003.

Families who have lost babies find peace in our Mary Garden where rocks can be painted and returned to Mary with prayers from young siblings. A small bench allows families to pray to Mary for comfort and be close to their miscarried infants. This truly makes St. Joseph Catholic Church’s columbarium special. 

In 2021, a Remembrance Celebration was started and every Memorial Day and Veterans Day music and patriotic décor is displayed. Families who have loved ones that served in military may place a flag near their loved one’s niche.