Blocton Italian Catholic Cemetery, cemetery in West Blocton, Alabama
The Blocton Italian Catholic Cemetery is a small burial ground in West Blocton, Alabama, containing approximately 86 headstones made of granite, concrete, and marble. Most stones are modest in design, many bearing Christian symbols and some featuring photographs of the deceased.
The cemetery was established in 1896 by Italian workers who came to the area to labor in the coal mines. In 1901 it was officially blessed by Edward Patrick Allen and became a religious center for the Italian Catholic community.
The cemetery served as a spiritual center for the Italian Catholic community that settled in West Blocton. Headstones bear Italian inscriptions and Catholic symbols such as crosses, open gates, and doves that reflect the faith and hopes of those buried here.
The cemetery is located east of West Blocton along Primitive Ridge Road and is easily accessible by foot. The site is open to visitors and provides a quiet space for walking and reflection.
Several headstones bear the Italian inscription 'morto nella mina' meaning died in the mines, a stark reminder of the dangerous work these miners faced. Another notable marker honors Willie Burnetti, an Italian soldier who was killed in action during World War II.
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