Immanuel Church Graveyard, Newcastle, Delaware

Newcastle, Delaware is one of my favorite places to go.  It is about 1 1/2 hour drive from Lancaster and we travel to go to Church on occasion, to have brunch or just to walk around the town and take in the beauty of old, old Newcastle.

Immanuel Church in Winter with Graveyard visible over the wall

A friend introduced us to Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green, and we’ve gone at various times with him.  This is a historic and beautiful Church completely surrounded by a very old, well kept graveyard.  We’ve been there in every season except Autumn. . . . until yesterday!  . . . and Newcastle was ablaze in color yesterday!  The scene below is the street in front of the Church and Graveyard.

One of the more unique features of the Graveyard is the Receiving Vault where the bodies were put in the winter until the ground was thawed enough to dig a grave.

Receiving Vault at Immanuel Episcopal Graveyard, Newcastle, Delaware

An old and unique gravesite is that of Mary Reynolds.  The Inscription on the top of the stone reads:

Here Lyeth Interred the Body of
Mrs. MARY REYNOLDS
Who departed this life on the 9th
Day of December 1777 Aged 53
Years 7 Months and 7 Days

Gravesite of Mrs. Mary Reynolds

This Burial Vault appears to belong to the JANVIER Family, although there are other names on the front of it, as well.  Looks like the Family that prays together, stays together, even into eternity.

Janvier Family Burial Vault

Catharine Ramsey seemed to be revered for her virtuous lifestyle when she died in 1766 at 76 years old, as seen on her headstone below.

. . . and Mary Eves had a very simple headstone marking her passing in 1768.

Mary Eves' Headstone

As you enter the Churchyard, this sign is posted on the front wall, telling the age of the Congregation.  It is one of the oldest Episcopal Congregations in America.  For more information on it’s history, check out the Church’s link above.

We have now seen this Church and Graveyard in every season.  Each season is our favorite when we are there.  We will be back in the Winter since Christmas is beautiful in this area.