Graveyard Art

There is something rather lovely about this old gravestone, standing snug against the sandstone walls of St Martin’s in Brighouse. Perhaps it’s the almost Pre-Raphaelite design, perhaps it is the challenge presented by the Roman numerals. It stands out not by its size or dominance of the graveyard, but by the fact that it hides its beauty and challenges you to discover it.

JOSEPH BARBER DIED

MARCH XIX MDCCCLXII

AGED LVII YEARS

MARIANNE BARBER DIED

SEPTEMBER XIII MDCCCLXXV

Joseph Barber was a Brighouse solicitor and mill-owner. His son, William (who may well have commissioned the gravestone), at one stage contested the Halifax constituency as a Conservative candidate and later became a High Court Judge.