Skip to Main Content

Rayne, Louisiana: Wrong Way Catholic Cemetery

Catholic cemetery mistakenly oriented north-south rather than east-west. Make note for Judgment Day...

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Address:
Polk St., Rayne, LA
Directions:
St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery is at Polk and Anding Sts, across from the fire station.
Admission:
Free.
Save to My Sights

Visitor Tips and News About Wrong Way Catholic Cemetery

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Wrong way cemetery.

Wrong Way Cemetery

At the Rayne, Louisiana Wrong Way Cemetery, I witnessed a wrong way rainbow (Raynebo).

[Ken Goss Jr, 08/04/2017]
Wrong Way Catholic Cemetery

We stopped and took a confused looking picture but there is nothing really to see. About 5 minutes down the road from the Giant Frog. Just okay, and I'm an optimist. Haha

[Tracy, 06/15/2014]

Wrong way cemetery.

Wrong Way Catholic Cemetery

The old cemetery with the above ground crypts faces north-south instead of the proper west-east tradition.

[christy miers, 02/02/2014]
Wrong Way Catholic Cemetery

Interesting that this is noted by Ripley's Believe It or Not as the only Judeo-Christian cemetery that faces north-south, contrary to the east-west tradition. The town was moved 5 miles to the north to be near the railroad (back in the 1800s), and the cemetery was moved, too. They had already laid out most of the graves when the error was discovered, so they just left it. Old cemetery with the above-ground crypts. Neat for a drive-by, especially if you're already there for the frog!

[Lisa, 02/26/2012]
Wrong Way Catholic Cemetery

There are many stories behind this wrong-facing cemetery in Rayne... It's a fun thing to check out though, just like the many frog murals and giant metal frog next to the police department!

[Harold Savoie, 08/22/2010]

St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery is oriented the wrong way -- not east-west as is supposedly every other consecrated Christian boneyard. The mistake was noticed after the point of no return -- too many people had already been buried (though these are above-ground crypts, but whatever...). They left it as is, and now it's one of two reasons to visit Rayne.


Nearby Offbeat Places

Frog Statue - Frog Capital of the WorldFrog Statue - Frog Capital of the World, Rayne, LA - 1 mi.
The Tree of SolesThe Tree of Soles, Ossun, LA - 8 mi.
Giant Guitar, No AccordionGiant Guitar, No Accordion, Crowley, LA - 9 mi.
In the region:
Lafayette's Photogenic Fireman, Lafayette, LA - 15 mi.

Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Louisiana Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights