The peaceful, wooded hilltop near Lemont drew Irish immigrants to establish a Catholic church and cemetery more than 150 years ago.

The peaceful, wooded hilltop near Lemont drew Irish immigrants to establish a Catholic church and cemetery more than 150 years ago. Today, that secluded setting is drawing vandals who have damaged headstones and monuments at the oldest Catholic cemetery in the Chicago area. The latest vandalism spree at St. James at Sag Bridge Catholic Church and Cemetery destroyed three historic tombstones — some more than 100 years old — and heavily damaged another. More than 20 other grave markers were toppled or overturned, although most weren’t seriously damaged.