Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, which was laid out in 1857, reflects the mid-19th century influence of romantic landscape cemetery planning begun at Cambridge's Mt. Auburn Cemetery in the 1830's. The chapel at Holyhood was designed by Patrick Keeley, the successful and most influential New York architect of many mid-19th century Catholic churches including the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul in Providence, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Boston. The stone building is Gothic Revival style derived from an English Gothic country church, and was dedicated in August 1862.

Among the public personages buried here are John Boyle O'Reilly, the editor of the Boston Pilot, freedom fighter, poet and orator; Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose F. Kennedy, father and mother of President John F. Kennedy; and Maurice F. Tobin, Mayor of Boston and Governor of Massachusetts.

In 1888, the Holyhood trustees purchased a plot of land in West Roxbury, not far from Holyhood, and created St. Joseph Cemetery. Now one of the largest cemeteries in New England with over 1000 interments annually, extensive improvements have been made recently to the entrance on LaGrange Street and to the cemetery's most prominent feature, Maguire Chapel. The bell which hung in the belfry of Holyhood Chapel from 1860-1988, is now located on a plaza adjacent to the Davis Administration Building at St. Joseph Cemetery. Cast in 1798, the bell was brought from Spain and presented to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, then on Franklin St., Boston. In 1860, the bell was moved to Holyhood Cemetery and placed in the tower of the chapel.

Eminent figures buried at St. Joseph Cemetery include John W. McCormack, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; Boston Mayors John F. Fitzgerald, John B. Hynes, John F. Collins; and Arthur Fiedler, Conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra.

Cushing Knoll, Holyhood Cemetery

Holyhood Cemetery
Memorial

The bell from Holyhood Chapel, now located on the plaza at
St. Joseph Cemetery