A long-forgotten time capsule, filled a century ago, was discovered in the cornerstone of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in California. The discovery was made during some work several months ago. The metal box, which had been locked, had rusted away, leaving the contents in the stone.
The contents were explored Nov. 15 by a group of about 20 people in the large meeting room in the rear part of the facility.
Among the contents were a Bible, an issue of the California Democrat (publisher J. B. Wolfe) and the Moniteau County Herald (publisher L. L. Carter) - the county newspapers of that day - lists of names and other materials. Much of the paper had deteriorated over the years, leaving little of it easily readable. The Bible and the two newspapers are not in good condition, but are still readable.
According to Bob Staton, they did not know at first that the cornerstone had a slot in it to hold the small box. It was laborious to drag the material out little by little. It was placed in a box at the time with plans made to go through it.
The box was locked, which meant little, since there was very little left of it. When the materials were searched, a key to the box was found. In addition, there were several small envelopes, each of which contained a 1917 coin. The coins were corroded, but still identifiable as a penny, dime, quarter and half dollar.
Several people, including Ellen Turner, researched the church history and determined that the time capsule was placed in the cornerstone by the local Masonic Lodge. The cornerstone was scheduled to be set in place in the new church building at 10 a.m. May 30, 1917, according to a still-readable article in the May 24, 1917 issue of the Moniteau County Herald, which was found in the capsule.
The 1917 church facility, at a cost of about $16,000, replaced an earlier building which had been built in 1873. The 1917 building was dedicated at a special "Union Memorial Service" at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 18, 1917.
Memorial addresses were given by representatives of the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Evangelical and Christian churches. At a separate 7 p.m. service on the same day, the congregation took "Dedication Vows" ending with the minister reading, "Let this house be a home for the stranger, a place of welcome and comfort to the poor, a consolation to the distressed and a place of salvation for the sinner."
The congregation began in 1850, but records are sketchy from that time period. It is known that Bro. George Longan pastored the congregation from time to time during the period from 1854 to 1885. He was listed as a circuit rider.
In attendance at the time capsule contents examination were Bruce and Lee Longan (fifth generation members), Lorri Longan Grimes (sixth generation) and her infant daughter Elise Grimes (seventh generation).
The materials found in the time capsule will be available for public viewing Dec. 2, after the California Christmas Parade, at the annual chicken noodle soup and chili community event.