Historic Episcopal Church Graveyard, Beaufort South Carolina

Though one often sees flags honoring those that came before us when walking through a cemetery, it's not all that often you see a non United States Flag.  Here you see 2 Union Jacks, the flag of England.  Buried here are 2 British Soldiers whom we fought against.   They both fought and died in The Battle of Port Royal Island, near Grays Hill on Feb 3, 1779 and were buried here 3 days later on Feb 5th.  The South Carolina Militia wanted to show the world, that even though they fought against someone, they were honoring those who had fallen by giving them a Christian burial.

 This historic church cemetery has veterans of The Revolutionary War, as above and Veterans who served their side in The Civil War.  Here lies Alston W. Brightman of The Confederacy.

Here lies little 4 year old Noel Earl, the son of W.D. and M.E. Schwartz.  He was born Dec 8, 1898 and died Jan 25th 1902.  There is such an interesting mix of burials in this historic cemetery from family people to military, young and old.  You begin to feel the history of the area and it's peoples are you ponder what their lives were like.

Mr. and Mrs. Gordan buried side by side in sectioned area with well cared for stones.  William A was born in 1836 and died in 1886; while his wife Maria Lloyd lived til 1909.  The inscriptions on their stones placed loving by one of their children. 

Here's table style grave, one I assume referred to when we learned gravestones were used as surgical tables during The Civil War.

Read previous post for additional information about the historic church, Saint Helena's The Episcopal Church

St. Helena's Episcopal Church, Beaufort South Carolina

As you approach 505 Church Street in the historic area of Beaufort South Carolina you'll see this very old red brick wall surrounding a historic church and graveyard.  The streets as you see are lined with beautiful old mossy trees that provide much needed shade during the hot summer months.

Walking through the fenced area you'll this very historic cemetery as you make your way into this beautifully restored church.  St. Helena's is the one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the country.

Glance skyward and see the beauty in the church's steeple against the blue sky as it peeks through the tree branches.

Beautiful woodwork throughout the church's interior.  The handcrafted details are truly a piece of art.

The church pews, the floors, the wood pulpit and the alter are all gorgeous.

 The church was established in 1712 as a Colonial Parish, part of the Church of England.  It was built in 1724.  It was added onto multiple times.  It was rebuilt multiple times from destruction.  A hurricane in 1896 caused lots of damaged as did one in more recent times, Hurricane Gracie in 1959.  A terrible hailstorm hit causing damage in 1970.  Parts of the church have been rebuilt using original bricks and some areas have been placed on the original foundations.

As this sign indicates, the church was used by The British to stable horses during The American Revolution, and again as a hospital during The Civil War where the flat tombstones were used as operating tables.

One of the churches most notable members was Thomas Heyward, a signer of The Declaration of Independence.