To Slate Or Not To Slate
There are interesting things afoot at Bethel Methodist Church! Or so says Sue Bennet, who is the administrator at Bethel. On one faithful night, Bennet agreed to take us on a tour of the hallowed ground of Bethels illustrious graveyard. There she bestowed upon us the many gravestones all of which covered were in great craftsmanship both containing detail and meaning. Meaning that shed light on the past life of its inhabitants. While some of these meanings are uplifting like the symbols associated with religion and going to heaven or some sort of afterlife others can focus more on the morning part of death and how short life can be.
The gravestone of one William H. Flening shows this hidden meaning with its detailed sculpture of a bible. The meaning behind which is very simple. This shows his love for his a religion and also reveals that he was once a priest somewhere before maybe even for the church which he now resides.
An Angel is what lies upon the gravestone of Elizabeth Moore. This symbolism shows that she is being taken up to heaven and symbolizes a new life after death in heaven. Because of this, one could infer that she would have defiantly been a regular churchgoer.
The gravestone of Francis W. Capers also has a symbol showing his dedication to his religion. The circle around the gravestone does not show that he was once the president of the very prominent school, The Citadel, but is known as the symbol of eternity and never-ending existence most likely referring to his life in heaven and his faith.
Another symbol, the Cross and Crown, which lies upon the gravestone of Frances Rebecca Jones. This is supposed to be a symbol for Gods sovereignty. It also is saying that he is king over all because he is all.
A hand pointing up on the grave of Casey Poyas also directly references the Christian religion as the hand pointing up is the hand of God stating that this person was going to heaven.
The dove on the gravestone of Elizabeth M. Ainger also directly references God because it is the Christian symbol for the Holy Spirit and how it is always with her.
On Captain Joseph Hunt's gravestone is an urn which is the Greek symbol for mourning the body as a vessel of the soul and that the spirit carries on. Due to this, it is a symbol for mourning since there will always be a remembrance of the family member once lost nearby.
Another symbol of mourning and or sorrow is the Weeping Willow tree on the gravestone of James F.M. Lord. In general, the tree does look like a sad tree and the term weeping in the name also gives the impression of sadness, maybe for the loved one who has passed.
On Mrs. Rosa Mary’s gravestone are curtains. Drapes usually show mourning for someone long after they have been removed from the home. Curtains can also set the stage, parting for the central object of the stone, Rosa, and is often accompanied by an excerpt detailing their past life.
The hourglass with wings on Nathaniel Small’s gravestone is a little more in depth than the other symbols and has multiple meanings. The hourglass is used to associated with personified figures of Death and Father Time. The wings on the side ad the meaning of the swiftness of time and a short life. This symbol is usually accompanied with stars or a star like in Small’s gravestone or with sacred vines.
Looking at the gravestones of Bethel Methodist Church and being able to witness the talent and skill that went into creating these pieces that portray so much meaning from their life and or what family members wanted to say on the departed's behalf. Bennet said that "due to the saltiness of the air in Charleston that the beautiful marble gravestones are eroding while the slate gravestones look brand new". It is saddening to hear that some of the gravestones in the near future will become unrecognizable while at the same time uplifting that at least the slate gravestones will be able to continue on and tell their story.
Info received from: Sue Bennet and Headstone Symbolism.
The gravestone of one William H. Flening shows this hidden meaning with its detailed sculpture of a bible. The meaning behind which is very simple. This shows his love for his a religion and also reveals that he was once a priest somewhere before maybe even for the church which he now resides.
An Angel is what lies upon the gravestone of Elizabeth Moore. This symbolism shows that she is being taken up to heaven and symbolizes a new life after death in heaven. Because of this, one could infer that she would have defiantly been a regular churchgoer.
The gravestone of Francis W. Capers also has a symbol showing his dedication to his religion. The circle around the gravestone does not show that he was once the president of the very prominent school, The Citadel, but is known as the symbol of eternity and never-ending existence most likely referring to his life in heaven and his faith.
Another symbol, the Cross and Crown, which lies upon the gravestone of Frances Rebecca Jones. This is supposed to be a symbol for Gods sovereignty. It also is saying that he is king over all because he is all.
A hand pointing up on the grave of Casey Poyas also directly references the Christian religion as the hand pointing up is the hand of God stating that this person was going to heaven.
The dove on the gravestone of Elizabeth M. Ainger also directly references God because it is the Christian symbol for the Holy Spirit and how it is always with her.
On Captain Joseph Hunt's gravestone is an urn which is the Greek symbol for mourning the body as a vessel of the soul and that the spirit carries on. Due to this, it is a symbol for mourning since there will always be a remembrance of the family member once lost nearby.
Another symbol of mourning and or sorrow is the Weeping Willow tree on the gravestone of James F.M. Lord. In general, the tree does look like a sad tree and the term weeping in the name also gives the impression of sadness, maybe for the loved one who has passed.
On Mrs. Rosa Mary’s gravestone are curtains. Drapes usually show mourning for someone long after they have been removed from the home. Curtains can also set the stage, parting for the central object of the stone, Rosa, and is often accompanied by an excerpt detailing their past life.
The hourglass with wings on Nathaniel Small’s gravestone is a little more in depth than the other symbols and has multiple meanings. The hourglass is used to associated with personified figures of Death and Father Time. The wings on the side ad the meaning of the swiftness of time and a short life. This symbol is usually accompanied with stars or a star like in Small’s gravestone or with sacred vines.
Looking at the gravestones of Bethel Methodist Church and being able to witness the talent and skill that went into creating these pieces that portray so much meaning from their life and or what family members wanted to say on the departed's behalf. Bennet said that "due to the saltiness of the air in Charleston that the beautiful marble gravestones are eroding while the slate gravestones look brand new". It is saddening to hear that some of the gravestones in the near future will become unrecognizable while at the same time uplifting that at least the slate gravestones will be able to continue on and tell their story.
Info received from: Sue Bennet and Headstone Symbolism.
Comments
Post a Comment