Saint Marys Catholic Church Cemetery – Alexandria – United States

Saint Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery is in Alexandria, Virginia, occupying an oblong parcel between South Royal and South Washington Streets beside the Basilica of Saint Mary. Dating from the parish’s founding in 1795, it is recognized as Virginia’s oldest public Catholic cemetery and Alexandria’s oldest continuously operating cemetery. The first known burial is that of Cavan Boa, an Irish tailor and former indentured servant of George Washington, who died in 1798. ([alexandriava.gov](https://alexandriava.gov/historic-sites/historic-cemeteries-of-alexandria?utm_source=openai)) The grounds were enlarged over time and remain associated with the Basilica, the first Catholic parish established in Virginia. A Queen of Heaven Columbarium was added in 2023 for cremated remains. The South Washington entrance is generally closed except during funerals; visitors should use the South Royal Street gate, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ([stmaryoldtown.org](https://stmaryoldtown.org/cemetery?utm_source=openai))