First Presbyterian Church

Carillon Plaque

Links to Carillon Inventories
GCNA	Tower Bells	Bok Tower Gardens

Jackson newspaper publisher Clarence E. Pigford conceived an idea for a memorial chime to honor local servicemen killed in both world wars. Pigford donated $1,000 to start the fund on January 9, 1942 when the first local casualties was being reported. Pigford promoted the effort until his death in 1945, after which his wife Sarah took over the project. A carillon of 47 bells was ordered from the Les Fils de Georges Paccard foundry in Annecy, France. The bells arrived in June 1950 and were kept in storage until an appropriate campanile could be built. The original idea was to build a bell tower on top of the First Presbyterian Church, which provided infeasible. Pigford's widow then offered to donate their estate to the church as a site for the campanile and a new church. This was accepted and construction began in 1953.

The carillon was dedicated on September 12, 1954 with a recital given by Arthur Lynds Bigelow, who had also been involved in the planning of the carillon and he took his tuning fork to France to inspect the quality of the bells, which he found to be exceptional. .

A spire was installed on top of the campanile in 1968. The bells were restored and rededicated on October 4, 2009.

References
1944 "$25,000 War Memorial Chimes Fund Established; Nearing Halfway Mark," The Jackson Sun, January 9, 1944, Page 1 | Part 2 |
The fund was established early in 1942 with a contribution of $1,000 from C.E. Pigford, publisher of The Sun and originator of the movement. Includes a list of contributors to date.

1945 Clarence E Pigford (11 Nov 1873 - 8 Jun 1945) grave

1946 "First Presbyterian Church Boards Vote to Accept Memorial Chimes," The Jackson Sun, December 3, 1946, Page 1 | Part 2 |
The carillons (47 bells) in all) had been purchased at a cost of $27,000 and would arrive in May of next year.
The idea of Memorial Chimes originated with the late Attorney C.E. Pigford, publisher of The Sun and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church. The movement began with the first Madison County casualties of World War II were being announced.

1948 "Proposed Stone Tower for Memorial Chimes," The Jackson Sun, November 28, 1948, Page 7.

1949 "Carillon Be Shipped Soon from France to Jackson," The Jackson Sun, April 22, 1949, Page 1.
Will be shipped this summer. Mr. Bigelow Will go to France shortly to test the bells.

1949 "Bells for Memorial Carillon Accepted," The Jackson Sun, September 7, 1949, Page 1.
Should arrive by next May.

1950 "47-Bell Carillon to Be Sent Soon From France to Jackson," The Jackson Sun, March 26, 1950, Page 1 | Part 2 |

1950 "47-Bell Carillon Now On Way From France to Jackson Church," The Jackson Sun, April 23, 1950, Page 1

1950 "47-Bell Carillon Arrives At Port of New Orleans," The Jackson Sun, June 5, 1950, Page 1

1950 "Arrival of Carillon Here Adds Chapter to Culture," The Jackson Sun, June 12, 1950, Page 1

1950 "47-Bell Memorial Carillon Lauded by Doctor Bigelow," The Jackson Sun, June 28, 1950, Page 1
Now stored in the Southern Engine and Boiler Works plant here.

1952 "Offer of Chevy Chase As Site For Presbyterian Church Be Submitted To Congregation," The Jackson Sun, February 7, 1952, Page 1
The offer of Mrs. Clarence E. Pigford to deed Chevy Chase as a site for a new First Presbyterian Church will be submitted to the congregation as an early date

1954 "Chevy Chase -- Beautiful setting for Memorial Carillon," The Jackson Sun, August 8, 1954, Page 15

1954 Jackson Memorial Carillon, Jackson, Tennessee, Dedication September 11-12, 1954.

1954 "Bells Ring for Those Who Served," The Jackson Sun, September 13, 1954, Page 1 | Part 2 |

1960 "The Paccard Carillons in Tennessee: First Presbyterian Church, Jackson," by Arthur L. Bigelow, Bulletin of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America 13(1):5 (May 1960)

Jackson Memorial Carillon includes an excellent history of the instrument.

The Jackson Memorial Carillon and Carillon Tower at First Presbyterian Church