The Gardens at Gethsemane News
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Our History

     In 1870, Gottlieb F. Burkhardt, a German immigrant and wealthy Boston brewer, purchased the Brook Farm property, and in 1871 formed a corporation called the “Association of the Evangelical Lutheran Church for Works of Mercy”.  He did this to provide a temporary home for orphan children and aged, weak and helpless persons, and to establish a cemetery.  The cemetery was laid out and officially named Gethsemane Cemetery in March of 1873.

     

     From it's inception, the cemetery has been (and remains) non-sectarian, and has no religious or residential requirements for lot owners and families.  Through the end of the 19th century and into the beginning of the 20th, there were many happenings on the property which can be seen in a historical timeline by clicking the link below (Microsoft Word document).

click here to download file

     In 1953, Ralph Moeller became Business Manager of the cemetery and Assistant Treasurer of the association.  In 1956, Gethsemane Cemetery Corporation was formed as a subsidiary with Mr. Moeller as it’s Manager, and at this time daily operations of the cemetery were separated from the “Works of Mercy” program.

 

     In the fall of 2002, Alan J. MacKinnon, current President, formed a non-profit organization and privately purchased the cemetery from the Lutheran Social Services of New England (formerly the Works of Mercy Association).  Through many years of hard work and upkeep, the cemetery now named The Gardens at Gethsemane, set within West Roxbury, MA continues to serve all faiths and religions as a private, non sectarian cemetery.

We are proud members of the following organizations:
 
International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association (ICCFA)
New England Cemetery Association (NECA)
Massachusetts Cemetery Association (MCA)