Gethsemane Cemetery was developed in the early 1970's and was officially dedicated by Archbishop Thomas Connolly in May 1975 to serve the Catholic faith community of South King and North Pierce Counties. It is conveniently located on Pacific Highway South (old Highway 99) in south Federal Way, on the King/Pierce County line. 

Originally the property was purchased in 1888 for use as a Catholic Indian Mission School. Fr. Peter Hylebos served the Catholic church in Pierce County and saw a need for a mission school to assist the Indians in the Northwest. (Today, the salmon spawning creek which traverses the cemetery property is named Hylebos Creek in honor of this pioneer priest.) He traveled to the East Coast and with the aid of the Catholic Indian Mission Bureau was able to purchase over 100 acres in the rural area of south King County. It was named St. George Industrial School. To keep the school operating, Fr. Hylebos received financial help from St. Katharine Drexel's family. She was the founder of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and came from a wealthy family. The Sisters of St. Francis of Glen Riddle staffed the school for the few years it was open.

As enrollment decreased and the funds ran out, the school was closed and the property was deeded to the Catholic Diocese of Seattle (now the Archdiocese of Seattle). During World War II the school buildings were renovated into apartments to assist a growing housing shortage. 

As early as the mid-1930's the Diocese of Seattle had plans to develop a cemetery in South King County. Originally the site selected to build Gethsemani Cemetery (original spelling on the recorded plats) on the property the Diocese owned on First Avenue and S. 160th in Burien in the south west area of Seattle. In the early 1970's it was determined that the property was deemed not usable as a cemetery, the decision was made to use the present site of Gethsemane Cemetery.

Due to its semi-rural location, Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery offers a peaceful and prayerful setting. It includes a panoramic view of Mt. Rainier and the corridor along Hylebos Creek has been registered as a "Regionally Significant Resource" due to its natural condition. The undeveloped acreage is home to small wildlife that, on occasion, visit the cemetery in search of apples, berries, and water. 
 

Making cemetery decisions can be a great additional burden when left to the surviving family members. In fact, the death of a loved one is a tragic experience that will visit all of our families at some future time.

Most families will find themselves ill prepared to deal with the problems, indecision's and costs which are forced upon them by death. Your Catholic Cemetery is here for you, to assist in making these decisions, hopefully long before the time of need. Of course, pre-arrangement makes good economic sense, but the most compelling reason to plan now, is the love you have for your family, and your desire to protect them from any unnecessary hardship at a time of sorrow. 

If these are your thoughts and feelings, why not inquire of your Catholic Cemetery, how you can take care of all cemetery costs in advance.