Company formed, Mount Peace acquired

The Odd Fellows Cemetery Co. of Philadelphia was incorporated in 1848 by an Act of the Pennsylvania Legislature, when the population of Philadelphia was only 400,000. The original Odd Fellows' Cemetery was located on Diamond Street, between 23rd and 24th Streets. In 1865, due to the growth of the city, grounds for a second cemetery were purchased from an estate named "Mount Peace," situated at what is now 31st Street and Lehigh Avenue, extending north to Hunting Park Avenue and Clearfield Street. The cemetery took its name from the estate from which it was purchased, and today occupies a 50-acre tract.

Lawnview acquired

In 1904 the Company purchased 58 acres of land in Rockledge Borough and Abington Township to provide burial space at reasonable cost for families in Northeast Philadelphia, Rockledge, and the eastern portions of Montgomery County. Shortly afterward, an additional tract was added, expanding the cemetery grounds to a total of 75 acres. The new cemetery was named Lawnview because of the rolling flow of grounds. Today the Company maintains its offices in what was once the chapel at Lawnview.

Relocations from other grounds

In 1951, the site of the original Odd Fellows' Cemetery was acquired by the City of Philadelphia as the location for the public housing project known as the Raymond Rosen Housing Development. This required the removal and re-interment of approximately 65,000 bodies, for which a section of Lawnview's grounds, now known as Memorial Park, was set aside. In 1955, the Philadelphia courts were concerned with the deterioration and dilapidated condition of an historic burial ground, Monument Cemetery, located adjacent to Temple University at Broad and Berks Streets. The Company submitted a plan to the City of Philadelphia for the orderly and proper removal and reinterment of approximately 26,000 bodies in Lawnview's Memorial Park sections, where the graves would be provided with perpetual care. The Company's plan was accepted and the vacated ground sold to Temple University and the Philadelphia Board of Education.

Pine Grove acquired

In 1966, the Company expanded its operations by purchasing the Warminster Gardens cemetery on County Line Road in Warminster, Bucks County, just east of Route 611. This 45-acre tract was renamed Pine Grove Memorial Park and Cemetery, and over the past several years has undergone several major improvements, including new roadways, fencing, and a completely redesigned main entrance.

Lawnview Chapel converted

The Lawnview chapel was built in 1915 to provide on-site religious services and receiving vaults for bodies awaiting burial, and for many years held non-denominational services on Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day, with the Corporal John Loudenslager American Legion Post #366 Glee Club providing musical accompaniment. In 1979, the chapel was converted to the general offices of the Company, and a second floor added to provide a meeting place for the monthly meetings of the Company's Board of Trustees. A few years later, an office addition was erected as the Company expanded its operations.

Aboveground crypts added

In 1985, our first Community Mausolem was added to Lawnview to accomodate the growing need for beautiful aboveground burials. There are now more than 400 individual crypts and 330 cremation niches. In 1995, the first 64-crypt building was completed in Pine Grove. We are happy to announce the completion of our 6th mausoleum at Lawnview which has 96 crypts and 48 niches. Pine Grove will be breaking ground in a new mausoleum of the same size in June, 2008.

Odd Fellows' Cemetery Co. today

Today the Company operates its three cemeteries in our professional tradition developed over our 150-year history. Over 700 burials are performed each year. Constant investments are made in the maintenance and improvement of our cemeteries. We proudly offer an array of cemetery services including:

We take pride in the appearance of our grounds, and hope that you will consider one of our locations for the burial needs of your family and loved ones.