A time capsule from July 11, 1895 could help reconstruct parts of the Third Presbyterian Church in Chester, writes Colin Ainsworth for the Daily Times.

The capsule, laid in the church’s cornerstone, was recently unearthed after 126 years.  The artifacts were water damaged and have been sent to the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts for evaluation.

Blueprints inside the capsule could help with restoration work on the building.

The church served as the headquarters for the Chester Historical Preservation Committee from 2015 until May 2020, when fire damaged the building.

“It was built out of huge timbers that don’t exist anymore… we’ll have veneer; we won’t have solid wood,” Friend of the committee Allan Rubin said.  “If we get the architectural plans out of this to restore it based on the appearance of it, we can simulate it.”

The capsule contained a Bible, copies of six Chester newspapers publishing at the time, Presbyterian Church publications, church documents and photos of the congregation’s three pastors since its 1872 founding.

The church is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s Gothic Revival design comes from Philadelphia architect Isaac Pursell.

Read more at the Daily Times about the unearthing of a Chester time capsule.