Symbolism in its deadly.

Bethel United Methodist Church, located downtown Charleston, is a resting place for over 500 souls.
 In 1792, the church was special, because it served both blacks and whites. There are even enslaved and free slaves buried in the graveyard. But sadly,, most of the headstones are cracked due to natural and man made offensives. Here are just a few of the mysterious, yet beautiful crafted symbols on the headstones.

This neat and well sculpture, head stone belongs to Rosa Mary,
She was on born October 9th 1835, and died on November 2nd 1881.The drape signfies mournig of the family, and the flowers mean grief,

The next head stone belongs to Olin B, Davis. There is another arrangement of flowers, instead this one is of roses. Roses could of been Olin's favorite flower, or it could also is a sign of the families grief of the lost of Olin Davis.


The ledger stone belongs to Lousia M. Reeder. With the words across the top with "Our mother". The reef under the words, signify the how much her children appreciated her as their mother or how she served an important role in others' lives.


Joseph W. Ainger's headstone is one of several, that are laid up against the wall of the church. With the words "Our Brother" above his name. At the top. is a sophisticated crown with a cross inside. This symbol appears on many headstones. According to Patrick Harwood , in his book The Arms of Angles Magnolia Cemetery, the symbol means " suffering (the cross) followed by eternal reward (the crown)" (159).

A head stones down from Jospeh Ainger's, is his mother Elizabeth M. Ainger. Born on October 14th 1807, and died on October 6th 1872. In the same design, except, the arrangement of flowers and the dove about it. The flowers still signify the grief of the family, but the dove also signifies how at peace they are under the somber circumstances.


 Another head stone that is laid against the wall, is the head stone of James F. Lobd. It is beautifully crafted, with the detail of a weeping willow tree. The tree symbolizes growth and harmony.

The ledger stone of a small child by the name of Seth
Piror, is surrounded by the ledger stone of his family. What is unique
about Seth's ledger stone, is a lamb, which looks to be on a marble slate.
This could mean how innocent he was, since he died at the young age
of 3. A lamb ready for his master to claim him, in his humble state.


One of the beautiful symbol is the one belonging to Mary Cruiskant. Unfortunately, Mary's elaborate headstone is cracked, and is hidden in the parking lot. But the detailed craved potrait of the missing women speaks for itself, The font that her name matches the photo. The grief of Mary's family is the proof on her tombstone.

The last, sadly, head stone belongs to Thammis Smalls. The dark exterior around this symbols adds to the symbol. It appears to be angle wings with an hour glass in the center, and ax going through it,This symbol could been that family thought Thammis was an angle and that his time was set in stone.