Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

The Rugged Cross

Posted on March 15, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

This dramatic gray granite monument erected in the Mount Carmel Cemetery at Hillsdale, Illinois, is a depiction of a line from the iconic hymn “Rock of Ages” written by Reverend Augustus Montague Toplady in 1763 and first published in 1775.  … Continue reading →

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Cross of Glass

Posted on March 15, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

The stained and painted glass windows found in the back of many of the mausoleums in large urban city cemeteries are great works of art rarely seen by most people who walk by. Most do not peer into the windows … Continue reading →

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The Crucifix

Posted on March 12, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

The symbol of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross is called a crucifix. This cross demonstrates the suffering of Christ. The word crucifix is from Latin and is the combination of two words—cruci and fixus—which translates to one fixed to … Continue reading →

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The Staurogram Cross

Posted on March 10, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

HARRIET TYLER WIFE OF ROBERT STRETTLE JONES FISHER BORN WILMINGTON VERMONT OCTOBER 21 1839 DIED OCTOBER 16 1905 The cross surrounded by lilies at the top of this round-top gravestone in the Rock Creek Cemetery at Washington, D.C., is called … Continue reading →

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Three Virtues

Posted on March 6, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

The Sanger Family monument in the Graceland Cemetery at Chicago was designed by Chicago architects George R. and Arthur R. Dean. The elegant and thin bronze mourning figure on the face of the truncated polished dark gray granite pyramid was … Continue reading →

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Anchor Cross

Posted on March 4, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

SALLIE M. Daughter of Wm. M. & JUDITH A. DISMUKES Born March 18, 1842 Died May 10, 1864 Aged 22 Y’rs. 2 Mo’s & Days Not dead but sleepeth. On this plain rounded-top white marble tablet in the Springhill Cemetery … Continue reading →

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The Russian Cross

Posted on March 3, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

The Russian Cross, marking the grave of Michael Boyer 1867 – 1953 in the Lakeside Cemetery at Erie, Pennsylvania, is also known as the Orthodox Cross, the Byzantine Cross, and the Suppedaneum Cross. The features that distinguish the Russian Cross … Continue reading →

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The Cross and the Crown

Posted on March 2, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

SABRINA A. TAYLOR 1815 – 1882 MOTHER OF L.M. TAYLOR, M.D. GEORGE WM. AND WALTER ORR INFANT CHILDREN OF L.M. AND ROSE M. TAYLOR MARIE JOSEPHINE TAYLOR BORN MAY 16, 1873 – DIED MARCH 19, 1927 A cross with a … Continue reading →

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The Latin Cross

Posted on February 29, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

CHRISTINE WILLIAMS BIDDLE Born August 28, 1860 Died January 24, 1944 The plain white marble Latin cross marks the grave of Christine Williams Biddle in the Laurel Hill Cemetery at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Latin cross is universally recognized as the … Continue reading →

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The Fleury Cross

Posted on February 28, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

TIS A HARSH WORLD IN WHICH AFFECTION KNOWS NO PLACE TO TREASURE UP ITS LOVED AND LOST BUT THE LONE GRAVE. The cross is one of the most common symbols found in cemeteries. It is a Christian symbol that comes … Continue reading →

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