Behind the Stone Picture

Bethel United Methodist Church is truly one of Charleston's treasures and we had the pleasure of being shown her diverse graveyard as well as take a tour inside the historic walls. During our tour, we were given a lot of valuable and interesting information regarding the church's history as well as a lot of the meanings behind the symbols on the tombstones.

Sue Bennet

Sue Bennet is a Charleston historian as well as a tour guide and member of the Bethel United Methodist Church. She gave us many interesting facts some of which are, 

"There are more than 100 graveyards in Charleston" 

"A large earthquake knocked over a lot of our tombstones" 

and also expressed that Bethel had their own African American burial ground on the premises of the church which was very rare for it's time. 

Cradle Grave Marker

This first tombstone is the grave sight of Reverend Fleming, one of the many ministers here. The symbol on it is a wreath which symbolizes the victory in death. This grave is called a cradle. 

Die on Socket Grave Marker

The name of this person is Rosa Mary and the symbol of the cloth draped over the grave marker symbolizes mourning. This is called a Die on Socket.

Headstone Grave Marker

The name here is Priscilla Bason. The cross inside the crown symbolizes a victory and triumph over death and also represents Christianity. This is called a headstone.

Headstone Grave Marker and my shoes wanting some spotlight

The woman here was named Mary Elizabeth and the symbol of the roses represents beauty. The gravestone is called a headstone, though it has fallen over time. 

Ledger Grave Marker

The lady here was named Elizabeth Furchess. This gravestone is called a ledger and the willow represents sadness or mourning. 

Headstone Grave Marker

The woman here was named Elizabeth Mainger and she died in 1872 and the gravestone is called a headstone. The dove represents love and peace. 

Ledger Grave Marker

The woman here is named Elizabeth M. and the tombstone is called a ledger. The angel symbolizes a guide to heaven. 

Headstone Grave Marker

I am unable to make out the name on this marker but it is called an headstone and the hourglass represents passage of time. 

Headstone Grave Marker

The name was unable to be deciphered but the urn symbolizes the soul. This is called a headstone. 

Headstone Grave Marker

The name here is Casey Poyas and the finger pointing up represents the hope of heaven. This is called a headstone. 

Here are a is picture that I collected from inside the church. Beautiful, is it not?

Interior of Bethel UMC