Eternity, (Old Mission Mausoleum) page of David G. Stuart's family history

My Mortal Remains and Eternity

David G. Stuart

written and posted

September 3, 2001

`Greeting and salutations!  As I age, I have been pondering the final resting place for my mortal remains. I come from a family where most of our deceased loved ones are buried in the ground, with only a few interred in mausoleums.

On Memorial Day 2001, I visited some of these relatives in the community mausoleums, and was pleasantly shocked by what I found. Despite their age, the mausoleums were spotless and well-maintained, with dry flowers, adequate lighting, and pristine white marble halls and floors that offered a secure and refined final resting place.  This sparked my own thoughts about my final resting spot.

After exploring the Wichita, Kansas area, I discovered a few older community mausoleums, including the Maple Grove Abbey, built in 1913.





White Chapel Mausoleum, built in 1917, and








Wichita Mausoleum, in Highland Cemetery, built in 1915.









Subsequently, I came across the Old Mission Mausoleum, which opened in 1920 and had three additional expansions over the next 36 years, with the final phase completed in 1954. The first three structures have a similar size, each with a total of 150 to 300 crypts. I investigated if there were any available spaces in these units, but found that only a handful of crypts were unsold, and none had several spaces together for a couple.

After making inquiries about the Old Mission Mausoleum, I learned that it was fully sold out, with a capacity of 2,450 crypt spaces. However, I was informed that spaces occasionally became available as family needs and circumstances changed. Further research revealed that there were three side-by-side crypts located in a desirable height and location that were for sale. These crypts had been on the market for over four years, (as there isn't much demand for something that "you" may never see in use.) Nevertheless, I made an offer and it was accepted to both parties' satisfaction. So, as the years go by, and someone reads this information in the future, you will understand how I made this my final resting place for my mortal remains.

Upon visiting Old Mission Mausoleum, I discovered a rich history and grand architecture.

The first unit of the mausoleum was built facing south.






Upon entering the front door, you are greeted by a spacious foyer built in 1920.







Directly ahead is the Amsden Memorial Family Room, dedicated to early lumber dealers.





To the west is a hallway leading to the Coleman Family Area, (Coleman Lantern Co.)







This view is a closeup of the Coleman family area. Throughout the mausoleum, one can find original wicker furniture, providing a comfortable space for reflection.



Next if you will look to the right, you will see another family area and one of the hallways leading to the east. As you move along any of the hallways you come to many of the family rooms that are located throughout this building, this is an



example of one of those rooms and another example of the fine stained-glass found within.








The hallways are wide and bright, featuring stained-glass windows.










Also, within this structure there are many brass light fixtures and brass gates, along with excellent examples







of plaster and marble carving.








Moving outside again you can see the east and







west sides of the building.








This aerial photo gives you a view of the building from several hundred feet up, great for putting all of the sides in perspective.




Here is another aerial view, that was taken in 1927, notice how the entrance was at the southwest corner of the cemetery. There is not much development to the east of the mausoleum, only the first unit was completed by 1927.




Now we come to the north and last addition that was completed in 1954, along with its entrance.









Upon entering this door, you are in the main hallway leading to the columbarium with its








stained-glass window that looks out into a courtyard, that is within the center of the entire structure.








Another use of the north hall is that it can be used for the interment service. (click here to view)

The north hall then branches off into several east and west hallways, which connect back with the front of the mausoleum.









As you are moving down this east hallway, it will take you past the location of the three crypts that I purchased and are identified as Unit Four, 28B - 29B - 30B.







One final area that I have been allowed to discover and view is the (click here to view) basement!   Hold my hand and let's take a look!

Space in the mausoleum has been sold out for many years, but the original property owners have many friends and relatives still making regular visits all through the year, and place








decorations at various seasons.








Since I was born in 1940, and if you are reading this sometime after 2040, I have probably taken up residence in one of the crypts. So, if you are in the area stop by and rap on the door!  I don�t think that I will answer, but I am pleased that you came by just the same.  As you can probably guess by now, I am writing this with some tongue-in-cheek humor, but this is the prospect that we all must face in the future, and  I  am  just making realistic, and early (I hope) preparations.

Information and photos about new crypts purchased in June 2002, this will be "My Final Resting Place!" (click here to view)

My research into Old Mission Mausoleum was limited, but I was able to find newspaper articles documenting its construction, as well as information on the visionary behind the project, Mr. George A. Saxton. I am proud to be able to share this piece of history with future generations and offer my gratitude to Mr. Saxton for his dream and vision.

I am delighted to make available the following newspaper articles chronicling these events, to ensure that future generations have access to this historical information through the Internet.

Links:

Old Mission Mausoleum History

Old Mission Mausoleum History: Update June 2009

National Register of Historic Places

National Register Application Time Line

Kansas Preservation Article: Spring 2009

Construction photos found of Old Mission Mausoleum: July 2008

George A. Saxton Information

Interment list: November 2023

Interment Rate Per Year: 1920 - 2023

Empty Crypt List: Nobvember 2023

Interior Marble Tile Repair: May 2011

Exterior Roof Repair: October 2011

Stained-Glass @ Old Mission Mausoleum

Blueprints and Drawings: Discovered, May 2004

Why I do this!

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