Mount Street Cemetery, the first Roman Catholic cemetery in Wellington, was consecrated by Bishop Pompallier on 6 January 1841.
The Mount Street Cemetery was the first cemetery in Wellington for Catholic burials and contains the graves of the first nuns and priests in Wellington. It remained open until 1891 although burials continued in existing family plots until 1954. The earliest surviving grave marker dates from 1851, and the latest from 1954. Although only around 200 headstones survive, it is estimated that there could have been as many as 1150 burials. Many of the early markers were simple wooden crosses, which have long since vanished.
Pioneers from many cultural and ethnic backgrounds are buried at Mount Street, including Irish, English, French, Italian, MÄori, Scots, Welsh, Austrian, German, and Polish.
Burial List
An initial burial list, containing around 700 names, was completed in August 2010. With further research by the Friends, and information provided by descendants, the list was updated in November 2011 to contain more than 1100 names.
The most complete version to date was compiled in May 2013. It also includes names of some now confirmed as being at other Wellington cemeteries. Download a PDF of this latest version HERE.
The burial list remains a work in progress, and we welcome any information that will assist us to confirm the names and details of all those interred at Mount Street.
The 2010 and 2011 versions are archived [2010 - HERE., 2011 - HERE.]
Extensive research has been very kindly undertaken for the Friends on those buried at the Mount Street Cemetery. Please click here to be taken to the research.
Maps
Over the years various maps and plans of the cemetery have been drawn up. One was by Charles O'Neill in 1878 and another in 1959 by JE Earp. To view or download a PDF version of these maps click HERE
Friends of Mount Street Cemetery – Archdiocese of Wellington
The committee includes: Karen Adair (President), Vaughan Stagpoole (Secretary; descendant), Micaela Buckley (Convenor, records and research committee), Stephen Harrison (Archdiocese), Andrew Wilks (Victoria University), Michael Desmond (descendant) and Priscilla Williams.
The Committee of the Friends of Mount Street Cemetery notes with great sadness the passing in October 2016 of Ken Scadden, maritime historian, archivist and author, and founding member of the Committee. He contributed so much.
Click here to contact the committee
Before and After - The work of the friends: