THE RESTORATION OF THE ROSEHILL CEMETERY BELL

I have never hesitated in the past to criticize Chicago's Rosehill Cemetery when they did something I did not agree with.  So recently when I encountered something good the cemetery had done, I thought it would only be fair to pass it along to my loyal readers, many of whom love Rosehill as much as I do.

Last week I needed the location of a grave at Rosehill Cemetery so that necessitated my going in to the office.  While dealing with the office staff has not always been a pleasant experience, lately the staff has been very cooperative and even friendly.  A refreshing change.  It was a cool, crisp autumn day in Chicago and many of Rosehill's trees still wore their colorful fall array.  I parked my car and as I walked to the office door I saw this plaque on the wall:

ROSEHILL BELL TOWER

"Rosehill Cemetery gratefully acknowledges the Rosehill Cemetery

 Reserve Fund for its enduring solicitude for the well-being of these

 hallowed grounds.  The Fund's beneficence has led the Rosehill 

bell to become operational once more.  May its ringing

ever honor our dead and comfort those living.  

Dedicated on October 12, 2021 in loving remembrance of 

John A. Bross, a scholar, author, beloved community leader, and 

Trustee of the Rosehill Cemetery Reserve Fund."  

Humbly rings the Rosehill bell, 

Its tender, gentle, somber knell.

Be mindful all who pass these gates, 

'Tis for you and the centuries Rosehill awaits...

Stately stone against time's test

For those whom love has placed at rest.

Solely not it tolls in death.

Nay, it rings their every happy, joy filled breath!

Michael J. Weidman  

Here is the plaque and the bell tower, all part of the Joliet limestone gates designed by William Boyington:

The red arrows point to the plaque and the bell tower itself.

Rosehill Bell, Wheel and Automated Electric Striker

When I went into the office I commented on seeing the plaque and asked about the bell.  They told me it tolls the hour and half hour, and is rung as a funeral procession enters the cemetery.  In the afternoon it also rings the De Profundis, an ancient custom that even predates the ringing of the Angelus:

The tradition of ringing a bell to remind the faithful to pray for the dead is a very ancient custom. Even predating the tradition of the Angelus Bell, the De Profundis Bell was rung to denote a time of the day to recite Psalm 130. The origin of this custom is accredited to Pope Urban II, who promoted the ringing of the De Profundis in order to pray for Christian armies in the Crusade. Later popes would grant indulgences to those who recited the psalm, even if the bell was not rung. This custom was later introduced in 1622 in churches belonging to the Dominican Order, who attribute the origin of this bell to St. Cajetan in 1546.     

Here is Psalm 130:

De profundis. A prayer of a sinner, trusting in the mercies of God. The sixth penitential psalm.

[1] Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: 

[2] Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. 

[3] If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it. 

[4] For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word: 

[5] My soul hath hoped in the Lord.

[6] From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord. 

[7] Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption. 

[8] And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

The office staff told me this was just the beginning, and that other restoration work would be carried out at Rosehill in the future, which I was glad to hear.

What about John A. Bross, to whom the restored bell is dedicated?  Here is his Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune of March 29, 2020:

John and his first wife Louise Smith Bross are buried in her ancestor Solomon Smith's plot, Section 100, Lot #1.  When I first wrote this story in 2021 John's grave had not yet been marked.  As of the Fall of 2023, it has:

It turns out that there are many members of the Bross family interred at Rosehill.  A cenotaph to his famous ancestor Col. John Armstrong Bross, his great-grandfather was erected in Section B:

So, kudos to Rosehill Cemetery and the members of the Rosehill Cemetery Reserve Fund.  I am looking forward to future restoration projects.

May John Adams Bross, Jr. and all the Bross family interred at Rosehill rest in peace.