Headstone Symbols Scavenger Hunt

Old Bethel

Have you ever seen a gravestone with a picture inscribed on it but didn't know what it meant? Well there are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of meanings for art on old graves. Most are for religious symbols, but wealth status, age, personality traits, and more also define depictions. 

My class and I took a walk through Bethel United Methodist Church on 57 Pitt Street to explore the different symbols displayed on their headstones. Bethel UMC was first built across the street where it stands now, but was moved to have a larger plot of land. The original is currently called "Old Bethel" and was open to white and blacks amid the 1800s. You can still find the original white church there today! Though, the new Bethel is open to any and all people. It is also the oldest Methodist church still remaining in Charleston. Historically, Methodists are Christians who believe in the Arminian doctrines versus Calvinism. The United Methodist Churches are traditional, ritualistic, and open for all who wish to come. You can visit Bethel United Methodist Church in Charleston for service on Sundays at 9am and 11:15am. Their churchyard is always open!

Here we have the gravestone of Rebecca H. Martin. She passed away on October 12, 1883. At the bottom it reads the quote, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord". The art is of what looks like a buttercup flower with a broken stem. The buttercup typically represents cheerfulness (which compliments their bright yellow color) while a broken stem resembles a life that was lost too soon.

A dove with an olive branch in its break represents the Holy Spirit. In Elizabeth M. Ainger's tombstone, the dove seems to be nestling olive branches together.














The headstone of Elizabeth M. reads that she "sweetly fell asleep in Jesus" on October 26, 1861. She was 65 years old. It also says, "exclaiming all is well, in the various relations of life. She was affectionate, kind, and indulgent". She has the image of an angel with big wings at an urn which represents her soul going to heaven.

Priscilla Sarah Eason's headstone has held up nicely over the years as it is very easy to read. She has a quote at the bottom that reads, "Her children arise up and call her blessed". The cross with a crown represents the suffering of Christ followed by eternal life through Him.













Wreaths are very common to find on headstones. They are usually different from each other. Some have big wreaths, small wreaths, and are made up of different kinds of flora and fauna. Anna's headstone has a large wreath which means "victory". This wreath seems to be made of many different types of flowers instead of the traditional ivy or olive branch wreath. There is also dove on top which we mentioned before is a Christian symbol representing peace and the Holy Spirit.

This is a really nicely done headstone. It is of Rosa Mary who died in 1881. Engraved is a beautiful quote: "A brighter home than ours, in heaven, is now thine own". In small lettering, you can also see the name of who made this headstone near the marble base. The drape represents the separation of life and death. There could be a more personal meaning considering there is also a bouquet of various flowers as well. Typically, bouquets represent condolences. Although, maybe Rosa just loved flowers like me!

This headstone is very difficult to read, but it belongs to a woman named Sarah. Calla lilies can be made out on the top. These kind of lilies are associated with the Virgin Mary and represents purity and holiness. Unfortunatly the rest headstone is unreadable.

Here we have Rebecca Jane's headstone with an angle depicted. As mentioned earlier, the angle tends to represent a soul that has departed to heaven. This angle has her hands clasped, too, which often represents the unity of life and death.

Here is the gravestone of Charles (C.D) Bateman. His daughter, Rebecca Jane (mentioned previously), lays beside him. He has a large bouquet of flowers on his memorial. It is made up of mostly trumpet flowers, possibly daffodils. Daffodils represent deep regard.

This memorial is really cool and elaborate. It is a bedstead with a pulpit at the headboard and a book sitting atop. After doing some research, I found out that this gravestone belongs to William H. Fleming who was a pastor at Bethel which means the book is most likely a Bible. He was loved and cherished by the city and there was sorrow when he died of pneumonia. We see two wreaths as well which represents victory over death. One more thing is a drape over the pulpit which could just be for detail or because there is usually one laying on real life podiums at church services. If there is a symbolic meaning, we can assume it symbolizes the separation of life and death.