Looking southwest towards the oldest section of St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery, located next to the church.

St. Matthew Lutheran Church was founded on 13 Oct 1861 as a "German Evangelical Lutheran Congregation." The church founders were listed as Heinrich Wieneke, Friedrich Kinder, Johann Schulz, H. L. Bush, Heinr. Pieper, Andres Reichardt (died Spring 1862), August Krause, Georg Kinder, Heinrich Dineke, Ernst Klemme (soldier), Karl Nolte, Christian Brinkmann, Heinrich Johns, Heinrich Eilermann and Christian Jones. [Spellings and sidenotes appear here as they were originally recorded.]

For many years, services were conducted only in German. A second, English service was added later.

After the church was established in late 1861, the first burials took place in the adjoining cemetery the following summer. A young girl, Carolina Seidler, died on 29 Jul 1862 when she was about 3-years-old. The next burial followed soon after when William F. Bush died on 01 Aug 1862.

From where the camera is positioned, the cemetery is shaped like a backwards L. The newer, and much larger, sections of the cemetery are located to the right and then back over a slight incline.

The road in the picture (Illinois River Road) leads to Hardin in Calhoun County if one travels to the north (in this picture, to the right).

The road that passes in front of the church (Prosker Lane/Main Street) leads to nearby Brussels if one travels towards the east (left in this photo).

St. Matthew Lutheran Church Cemetery; Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois.

Looking west at the newer sections of St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery. The cemetery continues beyond the top of the incline shown here.

Standing in the oldest section of St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery looking towards the northwest. The newest section of the cemetery is located on the far side of the old parsonage (white house with a porch).

St. Matthew Lutheran Church is just out of camera range in this picture. The large green burning bush to the left of the parsonage is located next to the right, rear corner of the church.

Looking south towards the oldest section of St. Matthew Lutheran Church Cemetery. (Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois) The side of the church towards the front is visible at right in this photo.

Standing in the oldest section of St. Matthew Lutheran Church Cemetery. (Brussels, Calhoun County, Illinois)

The side of the church is at left and part of the old parsonage is visible in this photo. The cemetery continues on around the corner and on the far side of the parsonage.