Remember the Great Famine of Ireland. It profoundly shaped Staten Island. We are standing at Saint Peter’s Cemetery. It is a place where many Irish immigrants found their final resting place.
Saint Peter’s Cemetery is the oldest Roman Catholic cemetery on Staten Island. The cemetery’s history is deeply intertwined with the story of Irish immigration to New York City. Saint Peter’s Cemetery was started in 1848. It reflects the Irish Catholic community that once comprised the Staten Island Catholic community.
Back in the 1840s the Great Famine forced many Irish to flee their homeland. They sought refuge in America. All ships arriving in New York had to stop for medical inspections. Those with fever were quarantined on Staten Island. Many Irish immigrants settled here. This significantly increased the Catholic population on Staten Island.
Look around. Some gravestones in Saint Peter’s Cemetery bear inscriptions of the Irish counties from which the deceased emigrated. These stones are silent witnesses to the hardships and hopes of these immigrants. They remind us of their journey to a new world.
Saint Peter’s Cemetery is more than just a burial ground. It is a pilgrimage site. Many people come to visit the grave of Father Vincent Capodanno. He was a U.S. Navy chaplain. He was killed in action during the Vietnam War. In 1969, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In 2006, he was declared a Servant of God. This is the first step toward sainthood. People pray at his gravesite. They ask for his help and protection.
Saint Peter’s Cemetery covers 25 acres on both sides of Clove Road. It holds around 50000 graves. Among those buried here are notable figures. There is Civil War general Patrick Henry Jones. There is early baseball player Matty McIntyre. Champion boxer Frankie Genaro is buried here. World War II Medal of Honor recipient Joseph F Merrell rests here. Three Staten Island borough presidents are also buried here. Also actor Robert Blake who died in 2023.
James Wheeler is also buried here. He was an Irish Famine immigrant. He was one of the largest builders on Staten Island. He also founded the newspaper The Staten Islander.
Saint Peter’s Cemetery stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and community. It connects us to the past. It reminds us of the stories of those who came before us. Take a moment to reflect on their lives. Remember their struggles. Honor their memory.