Located at Canal and Canal, the three St. Patrick Cemeteries were established in 1841 by Catholic Irish immigrants who formed the parish in 1833.
Initially, traditional in-ground burials were the preferred type due to cultural preferences and cost. However, the Yellow Fever Epidemics of 1847 and 1853 and water table in New Orleans changed the landscape of the cemetery. In August of 1853, 1,300 people died of yellow fever each week. The Irish and German immigrants were especially hard hit by the epidemic. In the month of just August 1853, over a thousand yellow fever victims were laid to rest in St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1. The massive numbers of interments within such a short period of time led to St. Patrick Cemetery No. 1 being less organized in distinct rows than St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 and 3.
St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 and 3 follow a more formal layout in organized rows. The tombs reflect the changing demographics of the St. Patrick congregation over time as many English, French, and Italian surnames are represented.
The beautiful Pietà in St. Patrick Cemetery No. 2 was erected by Father Raymond Carra pastor of St. Patrick's Church, during the 1910s or early 1920s. It is a peaceful cemetery to visit on a visit to New Orleans. read more