Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum is located at 1400 S. Wolf Rd. in Hillside Illinois. It is the world’s largest Catholic mausoleum and is really three mausoleums in one. Queen of Heaven was established in 1956; Queen of Angels in 1961; and Queen of All Saints in 1964. There are over 33,000 crypts, 9,000 of which are still available.
The mausoleum contains an amazing display of artwork. There are 217 stained glass windows, dozens of statues, mosaics, hardwoods and 48 types of maple works.
The Queen of Heaven Chapel (Our Lady’s Chapel) looks like a regular chapel, but on the sides of the chapel are crypts. This type of entombment was favored in early Christian times and it was believed that the closer the body was to the altar, the better the chance the person would go to heaven (because of the prayers by parishioners). The large stained glass window in back of the altar commemorates the Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven.
As I walked throughout the building, I could feel what a special place this is…………….I’m so grateful that I happened to find this beautiful place with my good friend Carmen while we were visiting her mother’s grave.
Thanks for sharing. The stained glass windows are just beautiful.
Thanks Suzette. It is an amazing place!