Tamaqua’s oldest and most unusual burial tomb won’t allow anyone inside.

Nature has sealed the 1884 Prichard Mausoleum, maybe permanently, leaving everyone baffled.

“The granite floor tiles have lifted. This is as far as the door opens,” says caretaker Justin Bailey at Odd Fellows Cemetery, founded 1860.

To demonstrate, Bailey first unlocks a gated, solid iron security door. From there, he struggles with an oversized, 138-year-old brass key to unlock a heavy bronze door.

But it budges only inches, blocking anyone from entering.

The issue is just one of several plaguing the unique landmark. It’s one of 13 mausoleums adorning the elaborate Victorian garden cemetery, resting place for more than 16,000, twice the population of the town. Among them are notable figures from American history and veterans from all wars, including the American Revolution.

Stained glass

The Prichard Mausoleum’s only other potential access point is on the opposite wall. But that’s a problem, too.

It’s a precious but heavily vandalized stained glass window about two feet by four feet. It depicts an angel holding a feather in one hand, symbol of ascension. The other arm points to the heavens, suggesting a connection to the Creator. The glass is a showcase of Neo-Classical Doric style and thought to be, although uncertain, a commission work of renowned Louis Comfort Tiffany Studios.

If so, it may have inspired Tiffany’s later “Angel of the Resurrection” window in Indianapolis, Indiana, among others.

So why not just remove the window to crawl inside? For one, nobody wants to inflict more damage.

And volunteers say the frame holding the glass in place can only be accessed from the interior.

“But we do think the window can be removed from the inside,” says Jody Kellner, Tamaqua businesswoman and volunteer.

All of these issues came to light recently when Odd Fellows volunteer Jamie Sanchez posted an appeal on Facebook.

The situation piqued the interest of Kellner, who says she has been drawn to the site since childhood.

“I walked up here every day. I just feel a pull toward this particular mausoleum. I remember the face of the angel. There is just something about it.”

The mausoleum is positioned at a main intersection on Grand Avenue. The location makes it virtually impossible to enter and exit the cemetery without passing by.

Occupants

Kellner says the building contains the bodies of John H. and Elizabeth Templin Prichard, representing the second marriage for both.

Elizabeth was widowed twice. Both husbands participated in the Gold Rush with success. This might explain how she afforded a mausoleum costing more than $500,000 in today’s money.

“They lived at 220 Center Street,” says Kellner. “According to the 1880 U.S. Census, he was 57 and a retired merchant. She was 51. They had a 50-year-old servant, Sarah Davis. All were from Wales.”

Bailey notes that the mausoleum is special in other ways, too.

“In others, the bodies are stored in the walls. Here, they lie in crypts just setting on the floor.”

The immurement of the deceased in such easily accessible crypts is considered unusual.

While the lot was placed in perpetual care, there is no trust fund to make repairs. Bailey says most of the cemetery’s mausoleums are in the same situation and money is tight.

It costs $2,700 to mow grass just one time at the 38-acre resting ground. And grass needs to be mowed eight times a year.

Bailey is hoping volunteers, perhaps with specific expertise, will step forward with answers on what to do about the Prichard Mausoleum.

“We need to figure out how to remove the window. The mausoleum needs cleaning; the roof needs repointing of grout.”

And, of course, everyone would be thrilled if someone knew how to repair the stained glass angel.

Descendant Tammy Cunningham of Corvallis, Montana, two-times grandniece of Elizabeth, says she is deeply moved to see volunteers trying to help.

“It’s just amazing. It touches my heart to see how people are willing to give of their time to do this.”

She has visited Tamaqua twice over the years to pay respects at the mausoleum and to visit other family graves.

It might be asking a lot to seek volunteers for such a monumental job. Everyone agrees. But with faith, anything is possible.

Those who can help or perhaps provide solutions are encouraged to call the cemetery at 570-668-4569 and leave a message.