SAINT ADALBERT is the largest Catholic Cemetery of the Archdiocese of Chicago, as measured in number of burials. It was established in 1872 to serve Polish Catholics of the north side.

The cemetery is named for the tenth century Saint Adalbert, the first Polish saint, known as the "Apostle of the Slavs" or "Apostle of Bohemia". A nobleman, bishop, and founder of a monastery, Adalbert was martyred on 23 April 997 while preaching to the Prussians.

Saint Adalbert Cemetery is located on Milwaukee Avenue in the town of Niles, a near north suburb of Chicago. It is clearly divided into two sections, east and west, by a quiet street. At the southeast corner of the western division is a small independent cemetery: Norwood Park Home Cemetery. Fences separate St. Adalbert from this central street, with opposing gates in the two adjoining sides permitting passage from one half to the other. Both halves of the cemetery contain old and new sections. New mausoleum construction takes place at the western edge of the western section.

This first of two installments of St. Adalbert on "Graveyards of Chicago" will show only the eastern half; the western half will be featured at a later date.