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This historic cemetery was established by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church to meet the needs of the growing Mexican American New Braunfels population that increased in the late 1880s through the 1900s. In 1926, the church organized and, in 1931, the parish purchased land adjacent to Hidalgo Cemetery. The cemetery was enlarged and fenced in 1961.
The majority of burials are from the 1930s to the 1970s; however, the oldest headstone is from 1891, as the land was used for burials prior to the establishment of the cemetery. Many servicemen are buried here along with business owners, farmers, grocers, housewives and laborers. Other burials include Francisca Chapa Sanchez (1872-1951), a well-known midwife in the area, Ruben Chapa (1924-2018), the first Hispanic quarterback at New Braunfels High School, and Gregorio Coronado (1920-1978), the first Hispanic attorney in New Braunfels.
Tombstones are written in Spanish and English and are made from a variety of materials, including concrete, fieldstone, limestone and wood. Mosaic tiles, ceramic photographs and grave decorations such as conch shells and marbles pressed into concrete are present and reflect old and new Hispanic traditions and their strong Catholic faith. Frequently, miniature shrines decorate the graves with mementos representing the deceased.
The settlement of Mexican Americans in New Braunfels had a significant impact on the industrialization and economy of the area, as well as on art, music, culture and sports. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery is a reflection of the migration, history and lasting culture of the New Braunfels Mexican American community. Historic Texas Cemetery - 2018 |
