We invite you to continue a work of mercy over a century old.
Founded in 1857 (before a Catholic church opened its doors in Effingham), St. Anthony Cemetery has long served as a place of rest for the faithful of St. Anthony of Padua and Sacred Heart parishes. Now, as the developed grounds near their limit, the cemetery must grow to continue its mission, entrusting this next step to the shared, prayerful care of both parish communities.
The Goal
While St. Anthony Cemetery owns significant additional acreage, the developed portions of the cemetery will reach capacity within the next few years. The St. Anthony Cemetery Committee created this expansion project to level the ground, provide a new access road directly to the North of the currently developed sections, and begin pouring concrete runners for new plots.
What the Expansion will Provide
Phase 1 of this addition will provide upwards of 1,500 plots, which amounts to over 38 years of burials. An additional future 2000 plots would be made available in the currently owned St. Anthony Cemetery property for future phases of development.
The construction expense estimated at $100,000 is considered an extraordinary one, in comparison to the funds collected for the cemetery’s perpetual care and maintenance. We are therefore asking for your prayerful consideration of this need as a shared expense between St. Anthony and Sacred Heart Parishes.
A Corporal Work of Mercy
“The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.”
~ CCC 2447
Supporting the St. Anthony Cemetery expansion through prayerful donations allows our parish to continue providing a service important to all Christian life— burying the dead. As Joseph of Arimathea buried our Lord, so too do we have the opportunity to bury all those who pass from this life and await the resurrection. Join us in support of the cemetery expansion and partake in a corporal work of mercy.
Ways to give
Please join us in support of St. Anthony Cemetery. We ask that you give prayerful consideration in making a gift that will ensure our dead will have a place to rest for years to come. We provide a variety of ways for you to give at your convenience.
donate in person
at the Parish office
weekdays from
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
101 E. Virgina Ave.
Effingham, IL
donate by mail
St Anthony Cemetery Expansion
PO Box 764
Effingham, IL 62401
Please make checks payable
to St. Anthony of Padua Church
Alongside financial support for the expansion, St. Anthony and Sacred Heart Parishes invite you to pray for the dearly departed.
Prayer for the Dead
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Have questions or need more info?
To discuss how you can make a difference at the cemetery, please contact:
Carrie Koenig, Director of Operations
(217) 347-7129
ckoenig@stanthony.com
