Lebanon Church Cemetery, INC.

Founded 1776

The area known as Lebanon Church Cemetery was started as a public burial ground.  Our records indicate that the first person laid to rest was a man who died of a bite from a copperhead snake. Pioneer families were searching for a new way of life and were moving westward in the 1700’s and found western Pennsylvania a desirable location to make their home.  Four church buildings, the first was a small log structure without windows or a fireplace, were built on or around the area of the cemetery now known as “The Old Cemetery” starting in the late 1700’s.

In the late 1800’s additional ground was added to the cemetery property and again in 1930 more ground was added.  Original members of Lebanon Presbyterian Church started to maintain the grounds of the cemetery and in 1873 laid out the first grave spaces in an orderly manner.  Members of Lebanon Presbyterian Church also started to financially provide for the cemetery’s future by investing money into trust funds and with family bequests started the cemetery’s perpetual care fund that helps provide for the financial stability of Lebanon Church Cemetery.

Forty-one veterans of The Revolutionary War are buried in the Old Cemetery, and a bronze plaque, located in the Circle Section lists their names, birth and death dates.  Since then, close to 400 veterans from all our nation’s wars and conflicts are represented at Lebanon Cemetery; we are grateful for their service and sacrifice. 

Post WWII, the community around the cemetery grew quickly with new homes and families.  Additional land was cleared in the cemetery and additional grave space was laid out.  The cemetery, Borough of West Mifflin and the local churches sponsored a Memorial Day parade that ended in the cemetery with a service remembering the veterans.  Although there is not a parade anymore, the cemetery continues a Memorial Day Service annually.  A Veteran’s Memorial, located across from the Garden Mausoleum, was dedicated on May 25, 1998 to the Veterans of The United States Armed Forces.

May 1992, Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery became known as Lebanon Church Cemetery, INC. following the incorporation as a Non-Profit Corporation of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Before this, Lebanon Church Cemetery was under the supervision of Lebanon Presbyterian Church.  Change was needed as it became clear that the mission of the church and the mission of the cemetery differed and needed to separate for the well-being of both institutions.  It is noted that the cemetery was in good hands for its first 216 years with countless church members donating their time and resources in developing and maintaining the cemetery.  

The late 1990’s through the early 2000’s the cemetery erected three brick structures to the property.  A stand-alone garden mausoleum and a larger chapel mausoleum were built to serve the needs of our community.  An administrative/maintenance building was dedicated in June 1999.   Previously, the cemetery rented space for office needs and storage of maintenance equipment from Lebanon Presbyterian Church. 

From the 1700’s to the present, many members of our community stepped forward to further the vision of a final resting place for their community.  The early pioneers who needed a place to bury their loved ones to Mr. John McDermott who donated the original 5 acers, all contributed to their vision of the cemetery.  Since then, countless individuals have given their time, talents, and finances to provide final rest and solace for their loved ones.  Today, Lebanon Church Cemetery consists of 13.25 acres, is well maintained, and continues its founding mission to our community.