University of Chicago

Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago

Links to Carillon Inventories
GCNA	Tower Bells	Bok Tower Gardens

The Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon was donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in memory of his mother. The 72 bells were cast by the Gillett and Johnston Bell Foundry in Croydon, England and installed in the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago, which was donated by John D. Rockefeller. .

The carillon was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day,, November 24, 1932 by Dr. Kamiel Lefevere. Rockefeller earlier donated a carillon to the Riverside Church in New York City..

References
1929 "U. of C. Reveals Plan to Import $200,000 Bells," Chicago Tribune, July 2, 1929, Page 18.
Asks $80,000 Duty be Taken Off.

1932 "Giant Carillon for Midway," Chicago Tribune, May 21, 1932, Page 8.

1932 "Ready for a Carillon," Chicago Tribune, August 2, 1932, Page 4.

1932 "72 Bells for U. of C. Chapel Arrive Here," Chicago Tribune, August 19, 1932, Page 19.
Custom Officials Impose Duty of $32,821.

1932 "Bells for Carillon at University of Chicago Arrive," Chicago Tribune, August 19, 1932, Page 30.

1932 "University Hunts for Man to Play Carillon," Mattoon Journal Gazette, September 6, 1932, Page 8.

1932 "Chapel Carillon To Peal 1st Time on Thanksgiving," Chicago Tribune, November 20, 1932, Page 49.

1932 "New U. of C. Carillon To Be Dedicated with Concert Today," Chicago Tribune, November 24, 1932, Page 10 | Kamiel Lefevre at the clavier |

1932 "50,000 at U. of C. Hear Carillon in First Concert," Chicago Tribune, November 25, 1932, Page 7.

1934 "Singing Towers: University of Chicago," by Kamiel Lefevere, The Church Monthly 8(3):50-53 (January 1934)

1998 "The Laura Spelman Rockefeller Memorial Carillon at The University Of Chicago," by Karel and Linda Keldermans, Bulletin of the Guild of Carillonneurs of North America 47:49-58 (1998)

2008 England's Child, The Carillon and the Casting of Big Bells, by Jill Johnston (related to Gillett & Johnston)