History
Mt. Olivet Cemetery dates back to the founding of New Cumberland in the 1800’s and our two histories are strongly intertwined with founding family and community connections that have grown over 150+ years and keep growing every day.
The Harrisburg Telegraph on January 26, 1870 reported on the organization of Mt. Olivet Cemetery at a meeting at Mt. Olivet Church located on the cemetery grounds. The article states… “Mt. Olivet Cemetery will shortly be made what it should be, a beautiful resting place for the sleeping dead. The location is one of the most delightful in the country.”
Our mission, identified on the first page of The Mount Olivet Cemetery Association Secretary’s Book in 1870, has remained unchanged… “Whereas, In this community there is a manifest want of a properly organized burying ground, where the whole neighborhood might join in making an attractive and beautiful last resting place for our dead, with proper guarantees that with the present generation all may not be neglected, forgotten and destroyed.”
The New Cumberland Borough Map and Business Notices published in 1872 includes many founding families names that you will see as you walk Mt. Olivet Cemetery today.
Today we are honored to serve over 600 families who have entrusted us with the perpetual care of over 6,350 of their loved ones. And we have room for thousands more.
We are a 501(c) (13) Federal Tax-Exempt Nonprofit Association that believes every family gravesite deserves eternal care. Thus, we do not charge families any monthly or annual perpetual care fees. Which is why donations to our Beautification Fund are so welcomed and appreciated.
In 2022 we were invited to present “A History of Mt. Olivet Cemetery” to the Friends of New Cumberland Library Cultural Series. We were pleased that many of the friends of the library have family members at Mt. Olivet. A copy of our history presentation can be accessed here.
