Both Hoffmeister South County Chapel and our sister location, Mount Hope Cemetery and Mausoleum, have a long history. The Hoffmeister name first became associated with funerals in St. Louis in 1904, though our founder Christian Hoffmeister was a businessman in the city before that. The first burial in Mount Hope Cemetery took place in 1912.
Christian Hoffmeister immigrated to the United States from Hanover, Germany. He settled in St. Louis in 1844. In 1858, Christian established the Great Western Livery Stable at 7800 Main St. in Carondelet, catering especially to doctors and clergymen making calls. Noticing the growing need for more public transportation, he launched the St. Louis and Carondelet Omnibus line, one of the first horse-drawn public carriage systems in the area. Meanwhile, he was asked with growing frequency by friends and neighbors to provide another service: furnishing horses and carriages for funeral processions.
In 1938, Christian’s grandson, George Hoffmeister, opened Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary in St. Louis Hills. The beauty and atmosphere of the Georgian Colonial building was (and still is) a tribute to the funeral home tradition Christian established.
In the 50s and 60s, Hoffmeister Colonial expanded under the direction of Christian’s great-grandson, Richard Hoffmeister.
In 1991, Hoffmeister South County Chapel opened adjacent to the historic non-sectarian Mount Hope Cemetery in St. Louis County. Two years later, in 1993, Hoffmeister South County Chapel funeral home became part of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, burial, cremation and cemetery providers.
The Cemetery Gets Its Start
Founded in 1910, Mount Hope Cemetery is an early example of the “rural cemetery movement.” C.D. Sims of the American Necropolis Company—a nationally recognized cemetery consultant—designed the property. Edmund Kinsey was the landscape architect. He also designed the grounds for the 1904 World’s Fair in Forest Park.
St. Louis architect, George Hayden, designed the 30-foot-high Beaux Arts-style terracotta entrance which was built in 1927.
Chicago architect, Sidney Lovell, designed the neoclassical-style limestone and marble community mausoleum building which was completed in 1931. Subsequent additions were completed in 1968, 1973 and 1987 by Acme Marble and Granite Company of New Orleans.
The Tradition Continues Today
Though many years have passed since Christian Hoffmeister began a tradition of dignified and personalized service in St. Louis, our dedication to offering the finest services has never wavered. Today and for years to come, we’ll be here, ready to serve you and your family with professionalism and compassion.
