The Rev. F. Peter Muhr, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in the Heights in Jim Thorpe, dedicated a new columbarium inside the Memorial Chapel of the Resurrection at the Mauch Chunk Cemetery in Jim Thorpe. Due to the cemetery’s age, nearly all of the ground space has been used. The new columbarium provides additional spaces to accommodate more interments.

A columbarium is a place where people’s remains in urns may be placed in the various niches available. The compartments feature clear fronts and are lighted. In addition to the urns, other mementos such as photos or flags may be placed with them.

During the dedication, Muhr shared how his family and church members would often visit cemeteries for holidays such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and All Saints Day. The children would play around the cemetery.

“The job done (on the columbarium), having been made in Italy, it’s a beautiful job, a beautiful piece of work. When people come here, may they have happy memories because remembrances are very much a part of our reality. God instituted it that way. And by our memories we become wiser, and we become more human. Our dedication is not only regarding the past, but it is regarding our present.”

The chapel and cemetery are maintained by the Mauch Chunk Cemetery Association. For information, call 570-325-2233.