Holy Cross Cemetery

Chapel Constructed in 1901

On April 10, 1865 continuing with the generosity that distinguished the Saint Helena community, hotel owner Augustus Tainter, donated a strip of land on the corner of Oak and Tainter streets to Archbishop Alemany of San Francisco for Saint Helena’s first Catholic Church.

Shortly after the purchase of the cemetery many palms, trees, and native plants were added to the grounds. The remainder of the gift paid for the chapel construction. Made from the same stone as the parish Church, the chapel’s main building materials are indigenous to Saint Helena.

The construction for the small chapel on the grounds was started in 1901 and was finished and blessed in 1904. The chapel still has its original flooring and window designs.

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Holy Cross Saint Helen Mausoleum

Constructed in 1997

In 1961 the Diocese of Santa Rosa was formed from the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Sacramento and with the new Diocese, Bishop Leo Maher included Holy Cross Cemetery as one of the several Diocesan Cemeteries of the Department of Cemeteries.  Holy Cross’ first mausoleum was built in December of 1961.  It houses 80 crypts and is one of the first mausoleums in the valley.  Five more mausoleums were soon to follow.

Saint Helen's is our newest mausoleum.  In the courtyard is a statue of Saint Helen who is the patron saint of the Parish.  She is credited with finding the “True Cross” of Jesus’ crucifixion during excavations she had ordered for the building of the church on Mount Calvary in the Holy Land.