Sewickley United Methodist Church

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 Time Capsules

 

 

1882 Capsule

In a large glass jar, under the cornerstone which was laid on July 25, 1882, was:

  • a Bible
  • a hymnbook
  • a copy of the Christian Advocate
  • names of all the church officers and members
  • copies of newspapers of the day

 

On May 8, 1996, the cornerstone was removed.  The large glass apothecary jar, that had been filled with paper religious articles in 1882, was broken.  Except for a small piece of leather that covered a Bible, the remaining contents had turned to dust.  Apparently the jar had been packed tightly with mortar and stone when it was originally laid.  The subsequent expansion and contraction of the mortar probably broke the jar very soon after it had been set to rest.

 

1996 Capsule

This second time capsule consists of a double-layered copper box that is both water and air tight.  Unlike the glass jar capsule of 1882, this one will have a one-inch breathing space around it to allow for expansion and contraction of the stone and mortar.  Besides religious articles, the following were included as part of "Our Time in History":

  • Bible and United Methodist hymnal
  • 1996 US Mint proof coins and miscellaneous coins and bills
  • newspaper articles describing the restoration
  • newspapers:  Sewickley Herald, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, New York Times, and USA Today
  • cornerstone removal
  • clock tower luncheon
  • pictures/photos
  • 1996 dedication booklet
  • church bulletin from September 15, 1996 and September 1996 Minutes
  • lists of church members/committees/Minutes
  • Bob Wright's "History of Our Church"
  • list of honorees from Heritage Sunday, April 28, 1996
  • Jean Funkhouser's "perfect attendance" pins
  • Pittsburgh Symphony photos and clippings
  • handheld calculator
  • 1996 Olympic items
  • presidential campaign buttons
  • Steelers/Penguins/Pirates memorabilia
  • compact disc
  • photos and newspaper clippings of today's dedication
  • list of New York Times bestsellers
  • top songs of September 1996 from Billboard Magazine
  • commemorative stamps
  • pictorial directory of 1984 and 1992 members
  • Carnegie Museum booklet
  • menus from local restaurants
  • Sewickley 1940 Centennial Pin
  • Quaker Valley yearbook
  • folded flag
 

 

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