You miss things if you do don’t get around your neighborhood every few days. For example, here’s a new and still unfinished funeral pavilion at the historic North Palestine Cemetery on the outskirts of North Albany.
I had not seen anything of the construction until I took a little ride Wednesday night. The structure is near the site of the old Palestine Church, which Benton County moved to Adair Village about five years ago in the hope of saving and restoring it there.
This graveyard dates from 1898, as the lettering on the shelter says, and is still very much in business. A sign on the inside wall says plots are priced at $800, and it lists the people to reach if you want to buy one.
As you can see below, there’s a sweeping view of the Willamette Valley from the handsome new shelter, a view that may comfort grieving relatives who gather there. (hh)
Hasso, this article hits closer to home than any you have ever published on this blog. My parents are interred at that cemetery and the view to the north from their gravesite is precisely the reason they are there. That view looking north is awe inspiring in every season. This is a cemetery rich in tradition and some of my friends have parents and other loved ones interred there. It is where I want my final resting place to be.
The older of my two sisters and I thought my father would enjoy that view and on that basis we decided that our family grave site would be there. We purchased the necessary plots upon his passing in late 1983.
I was somewhat concerned when they decided to move the church. I feared it would become just another old forgotten pioneer cemetery. But under the stewardship of the late John Koch and his successors, it is now evident those fears were unfounded. This is a very nice addition and I know it is appreciated by others that have, or will have loved ones there.
It took me some time to come up with a response to your article. I last visited my parent’s graves only a few months ago and there was no indication anything like what you picture here was coming. This is a nice addition to the nicest “old” cemetery I know of.
Thanks for the news and all you do for this community, Hasso.