The Mausoleum

The interest for a community mausoleum to be built on the Mount Lebanon Cemeterys grounds first came as a proposal from the York Mausoleum Construction Co. of York, PA. In the spring of 1915, James H. Stewart, vice president and manager of the mausoleum company, presented the idea of a mausoleum to the board of managers of the cemetery association. The construction companys plan was to furnish the cemetery association a $20,000 bond, guaranteeing that the building would be erected in accordance with the plans and specifications before payments would be made. Furthermore, it was proposed that upon the completion of the building, it would be under the absolute control and supervision of the cemeterys board of managers. And, a large endowment fund placed in the hands of a trust company would insure the maintenance of the structure. Apparently other pressing matters took precedence over the proposal - namely the allowance of automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles on the premises - and plans for a mausoleum were dropped. It took several years for the idea of a mausoleum to be brought to the table again. By the end of May, 1927, the cemeterys board of managers authorized A. E. Smith and E. A. Smith of the Community Mausoleum Company of Philadelphia, to erect a mausoleum on the plot occupied by the Memorial Chapel. It was agreed the cost would be based on $0.25 per square foot of land; $35 per crypt with an endowment fund provision, and construction to begin within one year and completed in one further year. The mausoleum would contain no less that 200 crypts, exterior walls to be constructed of granite and interior walls wainscoted with marble; bronze doors and cathedral glass windows, and the roof would be of tile. The land would be retained by the Cemetery Association. Perpetual leaseholder rights would remain with the mausoleum company and the purchasers of the crypts. A perpetual endowment fund would provide an income exclusively for the mausoleums care and preservation and grounds thereof. It was also projected that additions to the mausoleum would be constructed within five years. The Reading-based architectural firm of Ritcher & Eiler was retained to design the proposed structure. Final plans for the community mausoleum were in place by late winter 1928. However, the proposed 200 crypts would be reduced to 156. A $7,000 endowment fund was placed with the Lebanon County Trust Company and a deed as a franchise would be agreed upon between the Mount Lebanon Cemetery Association and the Community Mausoleum Company of Philadelphia. The removal of the chapel, a relic of a by-gone era, was begun in February 1928 by George A. Speicher at no expense or remuneration. Speicher was authorized to keep any of the material he desired from the razed chapel. No special services were held for any cornerstone laying or dedication of the completed mausoleum. However, the February 2, 1929 edition of the Lebanon Courier announced that the remains of Mrs. Howard M. Bright, formerly of Lebanon, and currently being retained in Wyomissing, would be placed in the newly completed mausoleum. Other Lebanonions, whose remains would shortly be brought to the mausoleum, included: P. S. Kaiser, Dr. John Walter, and Abner A. Ritcher (architect of the mausoleum). Amidst the winding paths and avenues of the cemetery, the community mausoleum, perched on the hillside of the cemeterys grounds, occupies the central spot of the landscap ed grounds. It lacks the classic design of the family Worth and Spang mausoleums that seem to compete for attention high on the eastern and western peaks of the sloped hills. Though dwarfed by the majestic beech, maple, and pine trees, the community mausoleums unassuming appearance seems to blend into the landscape or sea of headstones and footstones, crypts and boxed tombs, tablets and ledgers. Inside, mourners can pay their respects to the dearly departed and yet marvel at the polished marble floors and walls. Finally, onlookers can satisfy their curiosity by peaking into the niches and cryptic rooms illuminated by a spectacle of color from the neatly placed stained glass windows.