On a quiet hillside in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, lies Saint Michael’s Cemetery, a historic burial ground with a unique challenge. Many of its graves and headstones have slowly slid downhill over time, hidden by the shifting earth. Even today, dedicated volunteers are uncovering headstones that nature has buried.

The cemetery’s story begins in 1867 when the land was donated to serve as a resting place for workers from Bethlehem’s steel mills and factories. These workers and their families often couldn’t afford expensive burials. Late at night, families would quietly bury their loved ones in this simple cemetery.

Caring for the graves has always been the responsibility of the families. But as time passed, many families moved away or passed on themselves, leaving the graves untended. Without regular upkeep, the cemetery became overgrown, and many gravestones disappeared under dirt and plants or were shifted by erosion.

The land’s sandy soil plays a major role in this erosion. Its loose texture allows the earth to shift easily, speeding up the process that buries or displaces the graves.

In 1930, William Sinnott made an effort to map the cemetery’s layout. While his work provided some guidance, it was incomplete. Many graves, especially those higher up the hill or hidden deep in the woods, were left undocumented.

Over the years, volunteers have stepped up to reclaim the cemetery’s history. Thanks to their efforts, more than 500 lost gravestones have been uncovered, some buried beneath layers of soil and debris for decades. The group behind this work calls themselves Friends of Saint Michael’s Cemetery – Bethlehem, PA. Their dedication has brought the cemetery back to life, but they still need help.

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