History of Carmel Cemetery, New Durham Township, LaPorte, IN

History of Carmel Church & Cemetery
Location
50 South Between
700 West and Forrester Road
New Durham Township
La Porte County, Indiana

Carmel Church

On June 9, 2005 LaPorte County Cemetery and Research Association extended an invitation to those living in our community to tour Carmel Cemetery. A big thank you is extended from us to Bruce Johnson, our tour guide and the historian for Carmel Cemetery. Much of the following information was made possible due to his diligent study of the church and mapping of its cemetery. Plans are in the works for Bruce to host another tour of Carmel Cemetery on behalf of the LaPorte County Genealogical Society in 2006.

Following is a very brief synopsis.
For an in depth history on the church and cemetery, please contact Bruce Johnson at mrjsc@csinet.net

Carmel Church and Cemetery Formation
Many of the Swedish immigrants arrived to the county of La Porte circa 1855 and originally attended Bethany Lutheran Church in LaPorte city. However, difficulties due to unimproved roads, mode of transportation and harsh winter weather encouraged the settlers to try another 'route'. The Swedish settlers of this faith, living in the New Durham and Coolspring township areas, decided on April 14, 1872 to build a church within their settlement for school and Sunday worship services. During this meeting it was decided that an acre of land would be purchased in the name of "Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Durham Township, La Porte, Indiana." Services were conducted in the Swedish language on Sunday afternoons, with their minister from Bethany Lutheran Church administering the gospel.

On August 9, 1874, the settlers called a meeting for the purpose of establishing a cemetery adjacent to Carmel Chapel. Twenty lots were plotted and soon sold. On June 5, 1882, the church received the name of Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Carmel Chapel.

Around 1915 the cemetery and chapel became known as simply Carmel and the Swedish language was dropped from the usage at the Chapel. The cemetery was opened to all people, regardless of faith. Even with the improvement of roads and transportation, by 1918 the minister stopped coming out from La Porte to the chapel. By then, most of the parishioners had cars and could go to La Porte for services. The church would only be used for special events thereafter.

In 1946 the Carmel Cemetery Board of Trustees transferred the property to Bethany Lutheran church with the stipulation that the association could elect its own board members at annual meetings.

Carriage House -
This carriage house of the past brought a great deal of fascination for some of us in the present. It is one of the last remaining carriage houses in Northwest Indiana and its upkeep proves the Carmel Association's determination to preserve Americana at its heart. In pondering the use of the carriage house, a local prehistoric archaeologist contacted a historic archaeologist with 35 years of experience specializing in structures and their usage. Note in the pictures below the sliding doors on the front and back of the carriage house. This allowed the horse, still attached to the carriage or wagon, to be walked into the carriage house and through the back door so the carriage could be stored in the house. Then he would be unharnessed from the mode of transportation and lead into his stall (view front of carriage house picture below) and in nice weather, the window was opened for ventilation and the occasional glance out the window for the horse.

The carriage house might also have been a staging area or temporary pausing area for the coffin of the recently deceased. It is told that the ministers of the church used the carriage house for their own carriages on Sunday. However, in discussing the carriage house with the historic archaeologist, he too believes the structure was intended for more than one purpose; and without knowing the exact specifics or records, his initial reaction was that of potential staging area for multipurpose usage. It is not known at this time if this would have been included in a final salute until the departed made his last journey to the grave or church for final services. Due to the flair of procedures in every day life in the early 1900's and late 1800's, it is quite possible to hypothesize one reason would be to bring the deceased to the carriage house on the hearse/wagon, and then pall bearers could easily lift up the coffin and either set it to rest at the final grave site location, or bring it into the church. More research into past church records and comparative studies of other carriage houses associated with churches would lend to a much better understanding for the building's true potential.

Photo album virtual tour

Carmel Church:

Eagle Scout, Mike Young, recently repainted the carriage house, fence, outhouse and the church for his Leadership Service Project. This quaint church still hosts many meetings, reunions and weddings.
Want to see it larger? Just click on the picture and a new window will open with enlarged photo.

Front of Church