One of the oldest in Charleston
The graveyard of Circular church is likely the oldest English burial ground still in existence in Charleston. While many gravestones have disappeared, more than 500 remain, with about 730 individuals named on those stones. Another 620 people are named in church records with indications they were most likely buried in the graveyard.
Statistics for gravestones currently in the graveyard:
Earliest unmarked grave: 1695
Earliest inscribed gravestone: 1729
Number of burials before 1776: 150
Number of burials for people who were born before 1800: 450
Gravestone Art
The oldest gravestones are made of slate and were shipped from carvers in New England. These slates with images and medallion portraits have been called by one writer "an extraordinary and irreplaceable legacy of our artistic and cultural past." According to one gravestone historian, there are more of these unusual 18th century slate stones in this graveyard than anywhere else in the country. Our challenge is to preserve and maintain these historic artifacts.
The evolution of gravemarker artwork over the years reflects the changing attitudes toward death more graphically than do the inscriptions.
Check out the Find a Grave here!
For more specific questions or concerns regarding the event at Circular Church Cemetery please contact ayerd@acba.edu or scofershabica@gmail.com.