Glasscock Memorial Carillon and Bell Tower
Donations will continue to be accepted to provide funds for maintenance of the bell tower.
First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi received the gift of our bell tower and carillon from Mrs. Lucille Glasscock in 1976. The carillon was played after worship services, before and after weddings, and at summer concerts. Guest carillonneurs would come from around the world to provide concerts. The church and community enjoyed the carillon for a number of years, but by the 1990’s it became clear that the coastal environment was not friendly to the structure. The remaining funds in the designated gift account have not been adequate to cover the full costs of maintenance. The structure was built without factoring the heat, humidity, and salt air of the Coastal Bend and its location on the bayfront.
On June 10, 2002, a bell fell from the tower and several bells were at risk of falling. Due to safety considerations, the bells were removed, and were kept in a safe, secure location. The bell tower stood for a decade longer before it was deemed unsafe, at which time the church membership voted to take it down and make plans to replace it with a structure that will meet the demands of our sub-tropical climate.
The bell tower that has been a significant landmark on Ocean Drive for almost four decades was removed on November 3, 2015. After a successful fundraising campaign to rebuild the bell tower, construction was completed in the summer of 2021.
The bell tower that has been a significant landmark on Ocean Drive for almost four decades was removed on November 3, 2015. After a successful fundraising campaign to rebuild the bell tower, construction was completed in the summer of 2021.