Harvard Square on the Harvard University Campus in Cambridge in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
Original Memorial Church Bell
Photographed by R.J. OHara, August 17, 2025
1. Original Memorial Church Bell Marker
The Memorial Church bell honors those who died in World War I with the inscription "In Memory of Voices That Are Hushed." This 5,000-pound bell was cast in 1926 by John Taylor & Co., a foundry in Loughborough, England, and donated to Harvard in 1932 by former University president A. Lawrence Lowell, class of 1877, for the opening of the church.
The bell was removed from the belfry of the Memorial Church and replaced by a new bell in 2014 following the discovery in 2011 of a crack caused by the installation of a new clapper. For nearly 80 years this bell called students to Morning Prayers, to daily classes and to Commencement ceremonies at the end of the school year. It was placed on display here in 2017 to honor its long service to the University.
Erected 2017 by Harvard University.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Religion & Religious Structures • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 42° 22.504′ N, 71° 6.984′ W. Memorial is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Harvard Square on the Harvard University Campus. It can
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Boston. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Baptism of John Harvard (a few steps from this marker); Appleton Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); John Harvard (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Holworthy Hall (about 300 feet away); University Hall / John Harvard (about 300 feet away); Hollis Hall (about 400 feet away); Gore Hall (about 400 feet away); Massachusetts Hall (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambridge.
Additional keywords. Harvard University
Photographed by R.J. OHara, August 17, 2025
2. Original Memorial Church Bell and Marker
Photographed by R.J. OHara, August 17, 2025
3. Original Memorial Church Bell
"In memory of voices that are hushed"
Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2025, by R.J. OHara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 80 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 31, 2025, by R.J. OHara of Fitchburg, Massachusetts. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
