Our Deadly Scavenger Hunt

Last Monday, February 24, we visited the Bethel United Methodist Church. This church has a rich history. Until 1852 the church hosted mass for both white and black churchgoers.
Then "Old Bethel" was donated to the black congregation in 1876. Today, Bethel United Methodist Church is Charleston's oldest Methodist church. At Bethel UMC their graveyard is home to countless graves since 1796, here are my ten favorites;

Number One: Charles H. Muckenfuss

 This grave marks the body of Private Muckenfuss how served in the confederate army for a short month in 1863. His grave appears to be a bedstead. The symbol of a crown and a cross really interested me. This symbol means, 'victory over death'. According to Wikipedia this symbol also has connections to Freemasonry and the specific symbol is known as "Knight Templars Blood-Red Passion Cross and Crown"









Number Two: Julia Prior
This grave appears to be a fallen or broken headstone. I did not see any base nearby this grave. This marker is for Julia Prior a 10 year old girl. On her grave is a wilting or 'broken' flower. Although I am unsure of the type of flower, it is said that a broken blossom indicates that the person had died too young.

Number Three: Charles C. Seyle
Here lies the body of Charles C. Seyle. I cannot find much information about him online. This grave is a fallen die on base. The inscription on top reads, "Rock of ages cleft for me" the "rock of ages" is an image of the Christian God's ability to provide rock-solid security, both in this world and as a connection to the next, which will be devoid of pain, strife, trouble, and so on. But a cleft rock is one that is broken or abnormal. The cross on his grave is tilted, signifying that Jesus has 'finished his journey' and has laid the cross down. The vines/leaves that are engraved around and on the cross signify friendship, fidelity and, immortality. 

Number Four: Mary Elizabeth Warren

 Mary Elizabeth Warren was another child buried too young. Her grave appears to be a fallen die on base although I could not see the socket. Similarly to Julia Prior, Mary Elizabeth has a wilted flower on her grave because she was only a year and six months when she passed away in 1855. The inscription around the wilting flower reads, "Our little daughter".

Number Five: Rosa Mary Muckenfuss

 This beautiful die on socket grave belongs to Rosa Mary Burnham Muckenfuss, the wife of Charles H. Muckenfuss. In my personal opinion, I believe this grave is one of the most beautiful ones at Bethel UMC. The drapes or the curtain placed on top of the grave sorrow or passage between one existence to the next. From what I found online there are many meanings for flowers on a grave, but the most common was that flowers in full bloom mean she was in the prime of her life when she passed away. Bouquets of flowers represent condolences and grief.

Number Six: Cathrine L. Lord
This grave belongs to Cathrine L. Lord who died in 1859 at age 32, it also appears that there are two other members of the Lord family buried with her but I am unsure of their relationship. This grave appears to be a headstone. On this headstone symbol is a holly branch wreath. Because holly branches have thorns, a holly wreath represents Jesus' crown when he was crucified. The berries, the small balls strewn about the wreath, represent the blood that Jesus shed for us.










Number Seven: Mary Syfan

 This headstone marks the body of Mary Syfan, who died at 18. On her grave, the inscription reads, "Stay reader and spend a tear, and think of me who now lie here, and while you read the state of who. Think on the glass that runs for thee." Engraved on top of the headstone appears to be a woman praying at an alter or table in front of what could possibly be a willow tree. The kneeling and praying is mostly self-explanatory, praying to God. But the willow tree symbolizes immortality, and especially when used on a grave marker it can mean life after death.

Number Eight: Elizabeth M. Ainger
Elizabeth M. Ainger's grave is marked by yet again another headstone. This headstones imagery is a dove and some flowers. the dove symbolizes resurrection, innocence and, peace. The flowers symbolize flowers in general symbolize the fragility of life.

Number Nine: Engenia Robia

 This grave appears to be another fallen die on base. This grave belongs to Engenia Robia, a three month old little girl. The inscription reads, "Forgive, blest shade the tributary tear that mourns thine exit from a world like this Forgive the wish that would have kept the here and stayed thine progress to that world of bliss." The image engraved on top is of a sleeping little girl with a wreath in her hand. The sleeping girl signifies the death of a child. For Christians, a wreath symbolizes everlasting life. Most often wreaths are made of evergreen branches which symbolize growth and everlasting life.

Number Ten: James F. M. Lord 

 Lastly, is the grave of James Lord. James Lord appears to be the brother of Cathrine Lord, as he was born one year apart from her and on his grave bids 'farewell' to his brothers. He died of tuberculosis in 1862 in his home. His grave is another headstone with a willow tree on top. The willow tree symbolizes immortality and life after death.