Rosehill Cemetery
Hours of operation
Monday-Saturday 8am-5pm
Sunday 9am-5pm.
Please be respectful of your surroundings and the residence here.
The Chapel is closed, but if you are lucky like I was, an employee may allow you a peak inside.
Once upon a time, in the bustling city of Chicago, there lived a man named Horatio May. He was a man of many accomplishments and a beloved figure in the community. Born in Canada in 1839, Horatio moved to Belvidere, Illinois, at a young age and eventually settled in Chicago in 1856.
Horatio had a strong sense of civic duty and joined the volunteer fire department in Chicago. His dedication and hard work paid off, and in 1860, he was elected as a lieutenant. But Horatio's interests and talents extended beyond firefighting. He ventured into the business world and worked with John Neeley in his early career.
In 1864, Horatio's business acumen led him to become a partner at McKinley and Ingraham, a prominent grocer in Chicago. His success in the business world was matched by his involvement in politics. In 1886, he was named a Lincoln Park Commissioner, and in 1891, he was elected as the city of Chicago controller.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in 1898 when Horatio passed away while in Germany. His wife, Anna May, was devastated by the loss and wanted to create a lasting memorial for her beloved husband. She decided to have a chapel built at Rosehill Cemetery, dedicating $75,000 for its construction.
To bring her vision to life, Anna enlisted the expertise of architect Joseph Lyman Silsbee. Silsbee was renowned for his architectural designs and had previously worked on the May home on Astor Street. He was also the chief architect for J.L. Cochran's Edgewater Development Company.
Construction on the chapel began in 1899, and it became a stunning blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles. The exterior was made of granite, while the interior boasted a mosaic tile floor and an oak roof with hammer beam trusses. The chapel also featured a carriage porch with an intricate tile ceiling and a door leading to a storage mausoleum at the rear.
The May Chapel became a beloved landmark within Rosehill Cemetery. It stood proudly near the main lake, nestled into a hillside. However, over the years, the chapel's purpose evolved, and it was no longer used for services. Instead, the Hennig Chapel in the mausoleum became the preferred location for ceremonies.
As for Horatio and Anna May, they were not interred within the May Chapel itself. Instead, they were laid to rest under a simple concrete slab next to the carriage porch. Their final resting place served as a testament to the love they shared and the lasting impact they had on the city of Chicago.
Today, the May Chapel stands as a beautiful tribute to Horatio May and a testament to his and Anna's commitment to their community. It serves as a reminder of their contributions and the enduring power of love and dedication. As visitors walk through the gates of Rosehill Cemetery, they can't help but marvel at the beauty and history represented by the May Chapel, a true gem of Chicago's past.
In order to log this virtual please message me with the following:
1) How many glass domes are located at the back of the Chapel?
2) Describe what is on the ceiling of the carriage porch?
3) What 2 letters are above the door of the Receiving Vault?
Also post a picture of yourself (face not required) somewhere at the Chapel with your log.
Failure to meet these requirements will result in your log being deleted.
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Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.