Saint Luke Cemetery

Established in 1900, Saint Luke Cemetery holds over a century of Chicago history. Originally called Saint Lucas Cemetery, it served as the second Lutheran cemetery in the city. Saint Luke Cemetery was founded by several North Side Lutheran congregations. Only two congregations remained as consistent supporters over time: Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Logan Square and Saint Luke Church in LakeView. With the dissolution of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in the 1980s, Saint Luke Church became the sole supporting congregation. The cemetery officially changed its name to Saint Luke Cemetery in 1998, although the association still retains the Saint Lucas name. The first person interred at Saint Luke Cemetery was a two-month-old child on October 29, 1900. By the year 2000, over 25,500 burials had taken place within its grounds. Originally spanning 65 acres, with approximately 75% designated for burials, the cemetery has expanded from two initial sections to ten. Two of these sections are now completely full. Newer sections at Saint Luke Cemetery feature large central monuments and are dedicated to ground-level individual memorial markers. A notable addition is the stainless steel Waltz Memorial obelisk and cross, which welcomes visitors at the entrance. In 1992, Saint Luke Cemetery sold 7.5 acres at the corner of Pulaski Road and Foster Avenue for development, now housing around 15 stores, including a large national chain grocery. Another 14 acres along the North Branch of the Chicago River were sold in 1995, later becoming the site of condominiums and homes. The cemetery’s Administration Building underwent a significant modernization in 1999, incorporating modern office spaces, conference rooms, and a chapel with 132 niches for cremated remains. This chapel is available for any burial service. In 2008, Saint Luke Cemetery designated an area for the burial of companion animals. A special section for infants and stillborn babies was created within the cemetery in 2009. The cemetery’s operations are overseen by a board of directors, originally elected by the two supporting congregations and now by Saint Luke Church. The staff includes a General Manager, grounds foreman, field worker, and an office manager/bookkeeper. Records indicate some of those resting here are veterans, spanning from the Civil War to World War I, including names like Charles B. Gienger and Conrad Ullrich (Civil War), and Harry Bracker and Walter Decker (WWI).