Post Messenger Recorder -

The Swiss Church Cemetery has been in existence for over 150 years and is open to anyone regardless of religious affiliation. The cemetery is solely maintained by Swiss United Church of Christ. Financing for cemetery maintenance and required projects comes from the sale of plots and perpetual services.

Over the years expenses have continued to increase, but the Swiss Church Cemetery Committee has done its best to keep plot and service prices low and affordable to accommodate the needs of our community and its loved ones.

The reality is that the cemetery expenses are exceeding the revenue generated.

The church cemetery committee is hosting this golf event to raise funds to address increasing costs and support upcoming projects. Your support of this event will assist with maintenance of equipment (mowers, trimmers, etc.), snow removal costs, funeral preparation, and on-going care for the property.

Your support will also contribute to the funding needed for future projects; an additional driveway/road that will be required in the future to accommodate the growth of the cemetery and the necessary access to reach all areas of the property. When a perpetual care fee is collected, state law prohibits spending the perpetual care revenue. Instead, those perpetual care funds must be invested, and only the interest earned from the investment can be used by the cemetery. This would be a great strategy if the interest were enough to support the costs to maintain the cemetery property. So the current situation brings us to find other ways to fund the upkeep and plan for future projects.

Please consider supporting this community based event. The event includes golf, food and raffle prizes! Not a golfer or business owner, but still want to contribute? For $25.00, or more, your name will be listed as a “Friends of the Swiss Church Cemetery” contributor.

Contact the Swiss Church Office to sponsor, donate, register to golf or for more details at (608) 527-2119 or kristina@swisschurch.org.

The first cemetery in New Glarus was known as the Pioneer Cemetery and it was established in 1845. It was not until 1859 that the Swiss Reformed Church, now known as the Swiss United Church of Christ, took over the care of the cemetery and all the burials. While the Swiss Church cemetery has grown to include the EUB (Evangelical United Brethren) Cemetery and the 10-acres currently being used, it is still maintained by the staff and volunteers of the Swiss United Church of Christ. It is a community cemetery for our historic village of New Glarus and thus opened to all denominations and ethnicities. It serves churches in and around the area and families that have lived here a short while or all their lives. It has rich history and is a critical part of this beautifully close-knit community. The upkeep, preservation and tender care of these 10-acres of memorialized grounds needs the community it serves to ensure its sanctity for years to come. Tax-deductible donations are welcome and can be sent to: Swiss Church Cemetery, 18 5th Avenue, PO Box 97, New Glarus WI 53574-0097.