Daddow Road, Mount Barker SA 5251
St. Francis de Sales
Catholic Cemetery
Mount Barker Catholic Cemetery
Serving the Catholic community of Mount Barker and the Adelaide Hills with dignity, respect, and care since 1852.
Our History
A Sacred Ground Since 1852
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery — known locally as the Mount Barker Catholic Cemetery — is one of the oldest continuously operating Catholic cemeteries in regional South Australia. Its origins are inseparable from the story of the Catholic faith in the Adelaide Hills.
The Catholic community of Mount Barker was formally established in 1848 when Bishop Francis Murphy, the first Bishop of Adelaide, appointed the Reverend James Watkins as the parish's first priest. That small congregation, largely of Irish descent, laid the foundation stone of the Church of St. Francis de Sales on 28 December 1851 — and the cemetery that bears the same name came into being alongside it.
The church was opened by Bishop Murphy on 29 December 1852, marking the establishment of an enduring Catholic presence in Mount Barker. The cemetery, situated off Daddow Road, has been the resting place for generations of Catholic families ever since.
Over more than 170 years, the cemetery has grown into a place of deep historical and genealogical significance. Its headstones record the lives of pioneering families who shaped the Adelaide Hills — names that tell the story of the Irish Catholic migration that defined so much of South Australia's colonial heritage.
The cemetery is the final resting place of a Commonwealth War Graves Commission casualty from the Second World War, and it contains the graves of many of the region's founding families, including those connected with St. Scholastica's, the Sisters of Mercy school established here in 1902.
Today, the cemetery continues to serve the Catholic community of Mount Barker and the broader Adelaide Hills, under the care of the Mt Barker–Strathalbyn Catholic Parish. It remains a consecrated ground — a place of prayer, remembrance, and peace.
What We Offer
Our Services
The cemetery is open exclusively to those of the Catholic faith. Eligibility is assessed at the time of application — if you are unsure whether your circumstances qualify, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.
In-Ground Burial
Traditional Catholic in-ground burial, conducted with full reverence for Church tradition and the dignity of the deceased. We work closely with families and celebrants to ensure each burial reflects the faith and life of the person being laid to rest.
Cremation Interment
For families who have chosen cremation, we offer respectful interment of ashes within the consecrated grounds of the cemetery. Ashes may be interred in a dedicated grave site, providing a permanent and sacred place for prayer and remembrance.
In keeping with Catholic teaching, cremated remains must be laid to rest in a sacred place and remain there. The Church does not permit ashes to be scattered, divided among family members, kept at home, or preserved in personal objects. We are happy to discuss these requirements with families before any arrangements are made.
Reserve a Plot in Advance
You do not need to wait until a death occurs to secure a place in the cemetery. Interment rights can be purchased in advance, allowing you or your family to choose a preferred site and make arrangements at a time that is calm and considered. To enquire about available plots, please contact us.
Make an Enquiry →
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Cemetery is a consecrated Catholic cemetery restricted to the burial of persons of the Catholic Faith. To enquire about eligibility or to make arrangements, please contact us below.
Get in Touch
Contact Us
We understand that enquiring about cemetery arrangements can be a sensitive matter. We are here to answer your questions with compassion and care.
Before any interment right is issued, we are required by law to provide you with a Plain English Statement — a written document that clearly explains the rights and conditions attached to the plot, including the term, renewal options, and what happens when the term expires. You will have the opportunity to read and consider this document before making any commitment.
Contact Information
Phone
08 0000 0000Address
Daddow Road
Mount Barker SA 5251
Parish
Mt Barker–Strathalbyn Catholic Parish
Our Lady of Mercy, 7 Mann Street
