Soul Effigies at The Church of Saint Andrew

Around the block from Historic Richmond Town, The Church of Saint Andrew was established when the area was a British colony. In fact, Staten Island has New York City’s oldest churches! (Like this one established in 1680 in Port Richmond.) In the Revolutionary War it served as safe haven for British loyalists. Given its long history, strolling through the headstones of its surrounding cemetery grounds is like walking about sacred artifacts… while cars whizz by at Richmond Hill Road. To follow, some shots of my brief toll-justifying stop. It floors me that such deep history is so accessible, just sitting there weathering away beautifully.

Though there were a lot of era’s headstones, I found myself most excited by the red stone

Brought the wrong lens, but I like these vignettes

Going up…

Many captains on this island

There is a pet cemetery on the grounds

This winged effigy is a total meme face

Look at the worry–circa 1733