Hillcrest Abbey Crematory and Mausoleum

The Missouri Crematory was the sixth modern crematory built in the United States and holds the distinction of being the first crematory built west of the Mississippi River. The crematory is located at 3211 Sublette Avenue in St. Louis, just across from the State Mental Hospital off of Arsenal Street. Now called "Valhalla's Hillcrest Abbey" it is owned by the Zell Family, who also own the Valhalla Chapel and Memorial Park on St. Charles Rock Road.

In 1885, an informal association of cremation advocates was formed, and for several months, meetings were held in various places and the idea of building a facility and apparatus for performing cremations in St. Louis was discussed thoroughly. More precise action followed and, in July, 1887, the Missouri Crematory Association was organized and incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000. When enough money had been raised, a 5-acre (20,000 m²) plot of land was purchased on Sublette Avenue, just south of Arsenal Street, near the State Mental Hospital.

Prior to the completion of the crematory, those desiring cremation had to have their remains transported to Lancaster, Pennsylvania for this process to be done. Many of those who supported and desired this method for themselves had to be buried, as there was not a local crematory and their family did not want to incur the expense and stress of traveling to Lancaster.

One of the earliest pioneers of the Cremation Movement in St. Louis was Albert Todd, who was regarded by many as being one of the earliest supporters of cremation in the west. His advocacy of cremation created much of the support and sentiment that existed in St. Louis in its favor. Before his death in 1885, he had witnessed this sentiment grow so much that a cremation society was formed and a Crematory projected. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the Crematory’s completion. He did, however, request that his body be held after death until the Crematory could be completed. His body was held in a vault for a full year after his death – and the completion of the Crematory was not yet nigh. Thus, his remains were buried, uncremated, in the family plot at Bellefontaine Cemetery.

All of the members of Mr. Todd’s family followed in his footsteps and had become “Cremationists” – supporters and advocates of this method of disposing of the dead. His daughter, Elizabeth Todd Terry, wife of noted St. Louis attorney John Terry, especially regarded this method as "the only proper one." However, she was also unable to see the Crematory come to fruition – she died at midnight on April 14, 1888. With the completion of the Crematory on the horizon, her remains were held in the private vault of George A. Lynch, a local undertaker, following Funeral Services held at her home on April 15, officiated by Rev. John Snyder of the Church of the Messiah.

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