The Rich History and Symbolism of Bethel United Methodist Church

Mr. Harwood in front of Bethel

On a cold Monday night, my class gambled our chances to explore the history of Bethel United Methodist Church just down the road from The College. When we arrived, Bethel Historian, Camille Wish emerged from behind the church doors.

Before Wish started to tell us about the church graveyard Mr. Harwood informed the class about the graveyard by saying "It's not very big but is rich in symbolism". This was found to be remarkably true.

Mr. Harwood next to Camille Wish

Wish shared facts about the graveyard with the class before letting us walk among the dead. Wish shared that during the Civil War, most of the graves were damaged and could not be saved but they tried to save the least damaged ones.

Wish also informed us that the graveyard at Bethel Methodist Church is a multicultural gravesite.  As we walked around to the different graves I walked over to the property wall with Mr. Harwood and Ms. Wish. 

There were graves leaning up on along the walls. Ms. Wish informed us that "The graves stacked along the wall and church do not have people buried there. They are actually buried under the entire parking lot".

The Bethel Methodist Church Sancuary

After walking around the gravesite in the cold, the class went into the encompassing warmth of the church to discuss its lavish history. Wish told the class that Old Bethel Church was founded in 1797 and stayed until 1851 allowing the new sanctuary to be built across the street.

After the Civil War segregation became the law and the church community would not be able to sit anywhere they wanted. The freed blacks did not like this and neither did the pastor at the time. The pastor took all the freed blacks that wanted to go start their own church and did so.

William H. Fleming 

This cradle grave combined with a pulpit maker is very rich in symbolism. It belongs to  William H. Flemings a pastor of Bethel Church. Fleming was born on January 1st, 1821, and died on April 16th, 1877. The bible on the podium symbolizes a religious member of the church. The wreath of ivy at the front of the cradle grave represents immortality, faithfulness, and eternal life. The flowers on the podium at the back of the cradle grave are roses and lilies. These flowers represent purity, resurrection, and are both associated with the Virgin Mary.

Rosa Mary Muckenfuss

This is a die in socket grave belonging to Rosa Mary Muckenfuss. She was born on October 9th, 1835 and died on November 2nd, 1881. Her grave has a cloth draped over the grave; this symbolizes the veil that separates the living from the dead. It could also represent the person passing from this life to the next. The flowers could represent the frailty of life.

Anna Chrietzberg

Here lies Anna Chrietzberg, the reverend's wife under a die in socket. She was born in 1821 to 1872. The dove at the top of her grave is an animal symbolic in Christianity, it represents the Holy Spirit. It represents resurrection and purity. The flower wreath represents frailty of life.

Eva Lee Warren

This is the die on base where Eva Lee Warren rests. She was born on June 24th, 1867 and died on Septemberer 17th, 1893. The scroll that lies over the stone represents time and life. It also symbolizes a life unfolding this is of uncertain length. The Flowers on this grave can represent the youthful gladness.

Elizabeth Moore

Here lies Elizabeth Moore underneath this fallen headstone.
She was born in 1796 and died on October 26th, 1861. The angle on top of her grave symbolizes an agent of God and can represent the flight of a soul to heaven. The urn represents mourning of the ashes of the dead.  The wreath represents God and how there is no beginning or end.

                                                                

Elizabeth M. Ainger

This is a headstone grave and here lies Elizabeth M. Ainger. She was born on October 14th, 1807 and died on October 6th, 1872. The dove carrying the flower descending represents a descend down from heaven showing a safe passage. The flowers represent the Earth on this grave but also frailty of life.

James Jordan Muckenfuss

This is a die on base where James Jordan Muckenfuss lies. He was born October 7th, 1879 and died on March 2nd, 1881. The scroll that is draped over the stone symbolizes time and life. It also can mean a life of uncertain length. The fruit on a vine at the top represents how Christ is to the church. 

Sarah Margaret Leadbetter

This is the headstone where Sarah Margaret Leadbetter. She was born in 1808 and died on September 12th, 1855. The willow tree represents sorrow and mourning. The urn represents mourning of the dead.  

Joseph W. Ainger

This is the headstone where Joseph W. Ainger lies. He was born on January 24th, 1839 and died on March 28th, 1888. The cross going through the crown represents sovereignty of the Lord. 

Mrs. Catherine L. Lord

This is a headstone where Mrs. Catherine L. Lord. She was born on September 27th, 1826, and died on September 23rd, 1859. The wreath represents the victory of redemption. The holly on the wreath symbolizes foresight. The ribbon on the wreath could represent disease or be a part of the wreath.