Current Date: 08 Aug, 2025
{{entry.title}}

Graves holding hands over wall, A Catholic woman and her Protestant husband grave

A protestant man and a Catholic woman who weren't allowed from being buried together in a graveyard in 19th-century Holland turned their graves into a monument showing them holding hands across the wall separating them.

Elisabeth van der Meer was a devout Catholic who lived in the 19th century in the center of the Netherlands. She was a devout Catholic with a strong commitment to her traditions and beliefs. Elisabeth’s life unexpectedly changed when she fell in love with Pieter de Vries, a Protestant.

Graves holding hands over wall a Catholic woman and her Protestant husband 1
Photo Credit: buzznicked.com

Pieter was a good-natured, compassionate person who was steadfast in his Protestant faith. Elisabeth and Pieter had different religious beliefs, but their love for one another grew stronger every day, overcoming the limitations imposed by their respective denominations. They both believed that love could overcome any difficulty, including differences in religion.

Elisabeth and Pieter encountered a lot of opposition from their families and communities as their relationship grew. At the time, the Catholic Church had a significant impact on Dutch culture, and interfaith unions were frowned upon. Elisabeth and Pieter remained steadfast in their love for one another despite the disapproval and criticism they encountered.

Over time, the couple made the decision to get hitched and start a family. They decided to have a small wedding ceremony that combined elements from both the Catholic and Protestant traditions in an effort to reach a compromise that would honor both of their religions. Their closest friends and relatives were present for their lovely celebration of their love.

Graves holding hands over wall a Catholic woman and her Protestant husband 2
Photo Credit: littlethings.com

Following their nuptials, Elisabeth and Pieter had to find a burial site that would respect their diverse religious beliefs. The religious divisions in Dutch society were reflected in the graveyards, which were frequently divided into separate sections for Catholics and Protestants.

Elisabeth and Pieter, however, were adamant about coming up with a solution that would enable them to spend all of eternity together. They went to a nearby cemetery and spoke with the keeper about their unusual situation. The caretaker, who himself believed in harmony and understanding, was moved by their love and dedication and consented to a unique arrangement.

Elisabeth and Pieter had a small section of the cemetery set aside for them. A gravestone was built with Catholic and Protestant symbols on it to represent their merged faiths and their shared love. A crucifix representing Elisabeth’s Catholic upbringing and a Bible representing Pieter’s Protestant beliefs were placed on the stone.

Graves holding hands over wall a Catholic woman and her Protestant husband 2
Photo Credit: buzznicked.com

The gravestone was adopted as a community symbol of acceptance and love, encouraging others to embrace tolerance and understanding despite religious differences. It served as a reminder that despite differences, unity can be found and that love knows no bounds.

Many people visited the cemetery over the years to see the unusual gravestone. The tale of Elisabeth and Pieter became the stuff of local stories, inspiring people to embrace their common humanity and the strength of love. Generations have been inspired by their legacy to embrace love, respect, and acceptance regardless of their religious affiliations.

Similar Stories
Robert Odlum, the first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge

Robert Odlum, the first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge

The first person to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge was a professional high diver who "wanted to demonstrate that people did not die simply by falling through the air, thus encouraging people to be willing to jump from a burning building into a net." He proved himself correct by safely falling 135 feet through the air and dying only when he hit the water.

A Brief History of the PlayStation Gaming Console

A Brief History of the PlayStation Gaming Console

Sony's PlayStation was never meant to be an actual product. Instead, it was intended to be a CD-ROM console that would support Nintendo games. However, when Nintendo backed out of the deal at the last minute, Sony went ahead and launched what soon became one of the most successful gaming consoles of all time.

What is the story behind Wrigley chewing gum?

What is the story behind Wrigley chewing gum?

Wrigley's was originally a soap company that gifted baking powder with their soap. The baking powder became more popular than the soap so they switched to selling baking powder with chewing gum as a gift. The gum became more popular than the baking powder so the company switched to selling gum.

What exactly was the US's 'Ghost Army' during WWII?

What exactly was the US's 'Ghost Army' during WWII?

During WW2, there was a special unit of men dubbed the ‘Ghost Army’. The unit was made of artists, creative and engineers and their job was to create deception about the enemy. From inflatable tanks to phony convoys to scripted conversations in bars intended to spread disinformation, they used all possible tricks to fool the enemy.

Nathan's Famous Doctor Stunt

Nathan's Famous Doctor Stunt

When Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs first opened in 1916, the owner hired people to dress as doctors and eat hot dogs outside his shop, to convince people his hot dogs were healthy.

Marion Stokes recorded 30 years of television

Marion Stokes recorded 30 years of television

Marion Stokes, a Philadelphia woman began taping whatever was on television in 1979 and didn’t stop until her death in 2012. The 71,000 VHS and Betamax tapes she made are the most complete collection preserving this era of TV. They are being digitized by the Internet Archive.

The Assassination Of King Alexander

The Assassination Of King Alexander

The assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia marked a pivotal moment in the country's history. This article delves into the rise and reign of King Alexander, exploring his early life and ascension to the throne. It also examines the political and social climate in interwar Yugoslavia, setting the stage for the tensions and challenges that ultimately culminated in his tragic assassination. By understanding the context in which this event unfolded, we can better grasp the significance and impact it had on the nation and its future.

Keith Sapsford: The Story of 14-Year-Old Stowaway

Keith Sapsford: The Story of 14-Year-Old Stowaway

The final image of 14-year-old Australian Keith Sapsford, who aspired to travel the world. In February 1970, he sneaked into the wheel-well of a plane flying from Sydney to Tokyo. It opened mid-air & fell out. When a photographer was testing a new lens, he captured this moment on film and was surprised when it developed.

George Dantzig solved two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics mistakenly as assignment

George Dantzig solved two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics mistakenly as assignment

In 1939, George Dantzig arrived late to his statistics class. On the board were two famous “unsolved” problems in statistics written as an example by his professor. Dantzig mistook the examples for homework assignments. He solved the “unsolved” problems and submitted the homework to his professor a few days later. His solutions earned him a doctorate.

Poto And Cabengo: The Secret Language Of Twins

Poto And Cabengo: The Secret Language Of Twins

Poto and Cabengo, as the two girls called each other, communicated in their own language. The twins were ignored by their parents and secluded from the outside world because their father felt they were developmentally retarded, and their unique language evolved as a result of that neglect.