Parish updating time capsule

The cornerstone was removed last month in preparation for the event. Copies of the New York State Legislative Manual, Schenectady City Directory, Catholic Directory and Schenectady daily newspapers, all from 1900, were among the contents.

The stone will be returned July 9 with objects from modern times, and Larry Rainey, a member of the parish archives committee, hopes parishioners understand the importance of the ceremony.

"It's an opportunity to engage in a religious and historical experience," he said. "This has been an historical quest, and the edifice was created to honor God."

Rev. John Reilly was pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Schenectady in 1890 when he purchased land for a new church near Union College for $18,000. Edward Loth, a Troy architect, was hired two years later to design the church, but work was interrupted for six years because of a national depression.

Construction resumed in 1899 and the cornerstone was laid July 8, 1900. St. John the Evangelist Church was dedicated in 1904 -- the same year Father Reilly became a monsignor -- and it remained affiliated with St. John the Baptist parish until 1920.

The parish archives committee began meeting a year ago to plan the rededication ceremony and asked parishioners for any artifacts, printed materials or photos for display. One woman who contributed a photo of a canal boat was the daughter of a boat operator who transported stones used in building the church. A man submitted a list of names of parishioners from 1933 who lost their pew seats after the sanctuary was moved forward.

When the cornerstone was removed, the parish archives committee struck gold: Not only were many artifacts from 1900 inside, they showed hardly any signs of age.

"It's marvelous the way they made it through 100 years," Mr. Rainey said. "There was hardly any deterioration of anything. It is miraculous that this cornerstone was so secure."

A lead tube contained photos of Bishop Thomas M.A. Burke and all of the priests from St. John the Baptist Church during the previous 30 years. There also was a copy of the Seventh Synod of the Albany Diocese along with a list of the subscriptions and payments to the church building fund.

These items will be replaced in the cornerstone, along with items from 2000, including coins, an Albany diocesan directory, minutes from the parish archives committee meetings and postcards with a photo of St. John the Evangelist's altar.

(The July 9 rededication ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. with people assembling on Liberty Street for an 11 a.m. procession to St. John the Evangelist Church, followed by noon Mass and a 1:15 p.m. reception in the school.)

(07-06-00) [[In-content Ad]]