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.
