Evangelical cemetery

The Lutheran cemetery, as the locals call it, was built by Evangelical settlers from Prekmurje after the Second World War, though its history dates back to the 1930s. The cemetery has preserved fifteen graves with iron and stone headstones. The Evangelical Cemetery, with a wooden crucifix and belfry, is today owned by the Evangelical community. The original landowner was Štefan Kočar. In 1930 he donated the land to the Evangelical community, and in 1931 the first burial took place. Many Evangelicals had moved to this area from Prekmurje, wishing to preserve their faith. At that time, two members of their community had died, but they were not permitted to be buried in a dignified manner in the Catholic cemetery, instead being relegated to the section for suicides and outcasts. Kočar had a terminally ill daughter who died in 1931. Already a year earlier, he had donated the land to the Evangelical community, and she was later buried there with dignity. Evangelicals from Zgornja Velka were also buried in this cemetery. In the beginning, there was a wooden belfry, which was later rebuilt in masonry. Burials are still carried out today, and on All Saints’ Day families visit the graves. In the past, evening prayers were held at the cemetery for this occasion. In modern times, however, the cemetery area has been shrinking.