The Catholic community moved their cemetery on two separate occasions. The first Catholic cemetery was believed to be within the town of Virginia City. Due to health concerns, the county asked the Catholics to move their cemetery outside the town boundaries.  The next location, known as the "Old Virginia City Catholic Cemetery", or Scorpion Hill, was established in 1863.  Later, this cemetery was determined to be too far from the city and again, the Catholics relocated their cemetery to its present location.  

The current cemetery was established around 1864, and by 1865 had approximately 100 interments.  Most burials were moved to St. Mary’s Catholic cemetery.  The cemetery is located to the far east of the Silver Terrace Cemeteries and has a wooden cross rising from the highest point.  Early Virginia City had a strong Catholic community, with many Irish immigrants.   Today, the church still remains and reflects the colorful history of this religious group.

St. Mary's in the Mountains stands tall, visible from most areas of the town, with the cross on the spire reaching 170 feet above the ground.

In 1862, under the leadership of Father Patrick Manogue, the first St. Mary's, a wooden church, was built one block south of the present church.  Father Manogue was a strapping Irishman, just one of the fellows.  He was accepted by the miners, being a miner himself – he spoke their language.

The first brick church was built on the current site in 1868.  A large silver bell was brought from New York to St. Mary's weighing 2,264 lbs. with a 100 lb. clapper.  The bell was rung for the first time at the formal opening of the church in 1870.

The church and its silver bell was to survive only five years before the interior and roof were destroyed in the Great Fire of 1875.  The exterior walls withstood the fire and they were utilized in the rebuilding of the church in 1876.

St. Mary's is still an active church and Masses, weddings, baptisms and funerals are held there.  The chimes of St. Mary's ring out often in this quiet little town, calling all to visit her.

As it served as a place of respite and peace to the early mining community of Virginia City, today local townsfolk, as well as people of all faiths, from all over the world, come to worship, light a candle, and take in the beauty of this magnificent house of God.

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