St. Mary Our Lady Of The Lake Catholic Church
Lago Vista, Texas

COLUMBARIUM HISTORY

The topography of the Lago Vista area, in the Hill Country of Texas, is that of cliché, limestone and rock. It is not conducive to have an in-ground burial site, thus no cemeteries are located in the area or surrounding area of Lago Vista.

At a Church planning committee meeting in the summer of 2002, pastor Msgr. Joseph Schmitt gave his permission to explore a need for a Columbarium to be located in a redesigned Marion Gardens. This would include a wrought-iron fence between white limestone pillars.

It took almost two years to write the documentation and receive the approval of the Diocese of Austin Bishop Gregory Aymond.

A slab was poured to include two Columbariums with an extended Garden area conducive for two to four additional Columbariums in the future.

The first Columbarium, composed of sixty Niches, was delivered and set in place within the walls of the Marion Garden, on the grounds of St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church property in July 2004. The Bishop blessed the Garden and Columbarium thus establishing consecrated grounds for Christian burials as both theologically sound and practical due to the geological conditions of the area. A planned hallowed place of interment adjacent to the Church revives the ancient tradition of having the mortal remains of members located as near as possible to their place of worship. The Niches are composed of �double depth' and �corners' allowing for either a single or double interment of cremated remains.

A second Columbarium was set in place on October 22, 2013.

Inurnment is limited to past or present Catholic members and members of their immediate families.