Our History
In 1858 a petition was circulated to end burials in the Chicago Cemetery (located in what is now the south end of Lincoln Park) because of residential expansion into adjacent areas. This led to the limitation and finally the cessation of the sale of lots in May, 1859, followed by the closing and removal of bodies to the cemeteries outside the city after 1866. New cemeteries sprang up outside Chicago’s early boundaries. Four of these, Wunder’s, Graceland, Hebrew Benevolent, and Rosehill were located in Lake View, a separate town until it was annexed by Chicago in 1889. Our cemetery was founded in 1859 and originally called The First German Lutheran or The Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery. The German Lutheran Cemetery was incorporated in 1912, and on October 19, 1919, it was renamed Wunder’s Cemetery Association to honor the Rev. Heinrich Wunder, pastor of First Saint Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church. Members of this congregation, jointly with First Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church,were elected as the Directors of Wunder’s Cemetery Association. Since 1983, the board has been drawn only from First Saint Paul’s.
Cemetery Sections
This stylized map shows the sections in which the cemetery is divided. When searching for a grave site, the listing will give a section number first, followed by a lot number. The sections are a kind of print outline of how families and individuals were interred over the one and a half centuries of Wunder's history. Sections 1 to 3 contain some of the first burials. Section 11 and 5r were originally roadways that were later converted to grave sites. Copies of this map are always available on the outside of the office entry door.
Rev. Heinrich Wunder
Our Cemetery is named for the Rev. Heinrich Wunder, renowned pastor of First Saint Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, which is currently located at 1301 N LaSalle Drive. Pastor Wunder served the congregation for more than 60 years from 1851 to his death in 1913. He was personally responsible for greeting many German and other immigrant individuals and families whose destination was the Lake Michigan port of Chicago. He and the First Saint Paul's congregation coordinated and assisted with their settlement in the city.
Wunder's Staff
As a historic cemetery which has a somewhat active but not a busy continuous burial schedule, we have limited resources to staff our office, which is open now only on a part time basis. Though you are always able to contact us through telephone message and email, please be aware of the limitations placed on our staff. We do our best in responding to your requests as time and access to information technology allows.
Our Grounds
Situated on 14.5 wooded acres, Wunder’s Cemetery is bounded by Irving Park Road, Clark Street, Seminary Street, and Hebrew Benevolent Cemetery. Wunder’s position on a sandy beach ridge provides good drainage and easy excavation. Wunder’s Cemetery is easily accessible on public transportation via buses running along both Clark Street and Irving Park Road, as well as rail from the nearby CTA Red Line stop at Sheridan Road. Wunder’s Cemetery holds some 15,000 gravesites. Many Chicago notables have chosen Wunder’s as their final resting place. Among these luminaries are William and Anna Wieboldt, founders of a department store chain, George Manning, professional baseball player, Lorenzo Thundercloud, Chief of the Sioux Nation, Charles Seyferlich, Chicago Fire Department Chief, Frederick Dinkelberg, architect of notable New York and Chicago skyscrapers, and Rev. Wunder and his family.
Wunder's Logo
The unique logo for Wunder's Cemetery was commissioned by former Board President Einar Svendsen and produced by another Board member, artist Daniel Hendricksen. This design incorporates the Logo of First Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, encapsulated in the center of a thick circle. This at once identifies that Wunder's has a relationship with the congregation, but also suggests the burial of all those in the cemetery. The cross of Christ then pierces the thick circle "tomb". Hovering at the top is a stylized W for the Wunder's name, but it also appears as the "Crown of Life", which is ours through the hope of resurrection at the Last Day.