Oblates of Mary Immaculate Cemetery

What can you say, one of my favorite places in Mission!

It's a cemetery.

For Roman Catholics who grew up in BC parishes, the cemetery is a veritable 'Who's Who' of influential priests/bishops who have been laid to rest here. Adjacent to Heritage Park (which has a dark history of being home to a notorious residential school for First Nations children for decades) it is a fascinating, somewhat eerie detour from the rest of the park.

Quiet shady spot at the south-east corner of Fraser River Heritage Park, site of the former St. Mary's Indian Residential School; the cemetery is the resting place for many Catholic priests and brothers who spent many years bringing their Christian message to 'Indians'. Early Bishops D'herbommez and Durieu who died in 1899 are amongst the earliest internments. Some early pioneer family graves are also found here. Unfortunately, over the years there has been extensive vandalism to some of the headstones, but it remains a peaceful spot for quiet reflection on our past. The Mission Genealogy Club is planning tours, starting in June 2017; information is available on their website.