This cemetery appears as "Jewish Cemetery" on the 1878 Illustrated Historical Atlas Map, Linn Co. In the early 1930's "...(T)he trustees of the Jewish Cemetery on the Salem Road at Cox Creek volunteered to turn over their property to the Masonic Cemetery at no charge except the obligation to maintain the graves already there. For a long time this was then known as St Johns Cemetery but a few years ago the name was changed to Waverly Memorial Park, taking the name from Waverly Lake just across the road." Waverly Memorial Park now includes both the Jewish Cemetery and St. Johns Masonic Cemetery.

The following article appeared in the Albany Democrat Herald on July 29, 1980 (excerpts):

There are no tombstones bearing crosses in the west end of Waverly Memorial Park, the cemetery across Salem Highway from Waverly Lake.

Fallen leaves and moss and a few wild dandelions decorate the 50 or so graves here.  A star of David marks where Abraham Styman is buried.  A stone tablet with Hebrew script lies on Saling Salinger's grave.

One tall tombstone reads:

Emanuel Rosenthal
Died at Corvallis
July 2, 1886
Tamus 19, 5645
33 years

Next to it is a monument adorned with an angel whose head is missing.  It is inscribed: "In memory of Sarah, beloved wife of E. Rosenthal, daughter of L. G. and A. Kline."  She died in 1884 at 28.  Buried beside the daughter are the parents -- Adaline Kline, born in Russia in 1832, died in 1899, and Lewis G. Kline, born in 1828 in Kalish, Polen, died in 1900.

These are the graves of the "Israelites of Albany and Vicinity," also known as the First Hebrew Congregation of Albany -- and possibly Albany's only formal Jewish congregation.  From 1878 to 1924, the cemetery served as the final resting place of members of the Jewish community living between Harrisburg and Independence and Corvallis and Albany.  They were a minority then, as they still are.

The congregation organized in 1878.  Mrs. L. Senders was elected president pro tem.  They held most of their meetings in places of business.  Their greatest concern was maintaining a cemetery.  Members paid $24 for a burial plot and $2 annual dues.

In 1909, they talked of disbanding because their numbers were few and some preferred burial in Portland, where there were more Jews.  They held on until 1924.  Then, according to the minutes -- "being few in number and growing old" -- they turned the cemetery over to St. John's Lodge (Masonic) No. 17 A. F. and A. M. as part of a memorial park....

The following information is transcribed from the WPA Linn County Cemetery Survey, researched & prepared by Leslie L. Haskin on (undated, ca 1940):

The St. John's Public Cemetery is situated north of Highway 99 E. in the eastern environs of Albany and in Section 5, Township 11, South of Range 3 West. [NB: In 2001, per Linn Co. Tax Assessor, cemetery is placed in Section 4]. It occupies a portion of the original Anderson Cox donation land claim. The title to the tract is at present vested in the St. John's Lodge No. 17 (A. F. & A. M. (Masonic).

The history of this cemetery seems to be about as follows- On December 9, 1877, an infant named Clara, daughter of Isaac and Bertha Zwang Senders, died and was buried here on land belonging to a member f the Senders family. The Senders were, and still are, prominent Hebrew citizens of Albany. Other deaths soon occurring among the Jewish members of the community, the need for a Jewish cemetery was felt and on May 11, 1878, M. Senders deeded land near the original grave for burial purposes....

Before the actual deeding of the land a second grave was made here, that of Solie Peyser who died March 8, 1878. After the deeding of the land for cemetery purposes the first burial was that of Helene, daughter of B. & s. Brenner, a child of 3 months who died on Aug. 11, 1878. Next following was the eighteen year old Sarah Zuckermann who died on October 14, 1878. The oldest birth date recorded here is that of Saling Salinger who was born on Aug. 5, 1805. The second is that of Hirsch J. Joseph born November 22, 1805.

Notable feature of this old Jewish portion of the cemetery is the many inscriptions in Hebrew, not now readable by any known member of the community but said on credible authority to consist mainly of quotations from scriptures or from other old sayings of the fathers.

The exact date when this old Jewish cemetery was taken over by the Masonic Lodge could not be found but probably about the year 1928 (according to a member of thence lodge) although the first new burial seems to be dated 1933. (R. J. Savage, 1857-1933). About that time the cemetery was greatly enlarged by the purchase of additional land. The Masons already owned a large cemetery in the Western portion f Albany but the space there was becoming crowded so this additional burying place was opened. The land added to the original Hebrew Cemetery had belonged to the city of Albany and was the site of the old city pest house. This house, falling into disuse because of more modern practices was no longer used by the city. Enlarged burial facilities being badly needed here the city sold their tract at a nominal sum. The additional land increased the acreage to about ten acres....

Historical & Biographical Notes:

Isaac Senders. 1840-1933. Bertha Zwang Senders. 1852-1928. These are older members of the Senders family who have been active in business and community life since pioneer times. The Senders first entered the business of the county by conducting a general store at Brownsville at an early date. The firm of Senders and Sternberg are known to have been in business in Brownsville previous to Oct. 25, 1868. The building which they then occupied is still standing and is used as a store building by the firm of Cooley and Company....After closing out their business in Brownsville the firm removed to the larger town of Albany and their descendents are still active in business there. Prominent among them is "Al Senders who is engaged in the feed and seed business.

Lewis C. Kline. 1828-1900. A prominent merchant family in Corvallis, Benton County.

Joseph Sternberg. 1833-1907. The Sternberg family, associates in business with the Senders first at Brownsville and later at Albany, are still active in business here, members of the family being engaged in the clothing business as well as in the tanning and saddlery manufacture.

[end of Haskin survey]

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References used to prepare these cemetery pages are provided.
Lisa L. Jones prepared and is solely responsible for the content of these pages. 
Copyright 2001.