St. Alphonsus Cemetery Arch - Millwood, MO - Freestanding Arches on Waymarking.com

County of cemetery: Lincoln County
Location of cemetery: MO-E & St. Alphonsus Rd., Millwood
Number of graves: 919

This arch, wrought iron painted white, is frilly, fancy and full of ginger-bread details. Tri-entry for wagon in the center with access for humans on either side. All three gates have double pipe risers with crosses and star-bursts filigree fillers in the sectioned area created by cross supports. Across the top is a double bar, filled with circle and swirl patterns - and in the center a wire mesh filler that hold the stamped steel letters of the name"St. ALPHONSUS CEMETERY. Atop it all is a plain white stamped steel cross.

"After two years had elapsed and the number of families had increased to about twelve, the priest said to them: "Why don't you build a chapel of your own at some convenient place where all can meet and worship together." Though they had no capital to begin with this suggestion appealed to them and they at once started the selection of a building site. This happened to be the little hill on which the graveyard is located, and was the cause of the graveyard being located there. The first person to be buried in the graveyard was Martin Rush. As the church was to be built entirely with contributed labor, the men assembled from day to day in shifts, hauling the logs with oxen, hewing, notching, and placing them in position. They worked with great sincerity and though there was no effort at style, they endeavored to make it as neat as possible. Non-Catholics lent their aid and encouragement. The only money collected was one dollar, given by Captain Richard Wommack, a member of the Baptist faith. His descendants now number a large part of our congregation. In accepting this dollar, the settlers said that it looked to be about the size of a wagon wheel. It purchased all of the nails that were used in the construction of the building. We need not wonder at this when we realize that the buildings in those days were fastened together with mortises, wooden pins and ridge-poles. The little church, when completed, was 22 by 30 feet, with a sanctuary in addition, 12 by 16 feet, and a small gallery for the choir. The doors had wooden hinges and wooden latches." ~ History of Millwood and St. Alphonsus Parish by Andrew Mudd Millwood, Missouri. November 17th, 1927 [in public domain, no copywright]