UPDATED 2:34 P.M.
PEORIA, Ill. — A time capsule from the cornerstone of Hale Memorial Church in Peoria was unveiled Tuesday afternoon at the Scottish Rite Theatre.
KDB Group acquired the church building in 2021 hoping to restore it, but recently tore it down due to structural issues.
KDB’s Greg Birkland says it appears the time capsule was placed in the building on September 20, 1900, with articles from an earlier church that was built on-site.
“And there’s articles from the 1868 church, that they put in the newer time capsule of 1900. So, this could possibly be the oldest time capsule that’s ever been opened in the Peoria area,” Birkland says.
Birkland tells WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show”, the 10 x 10 metal box is believed to contain a Holy Bible from at least 150 years ago.
The contents of the Hale Church time capsule were on display at the Scottish Rite Theatre, located at 400 N.E. Perry Avenue, in Peoria.
The contents, understandably, are likely to be very fragile. If there’s mold, Birkland says the time capsule will have to be freeze-dried to preserve its contents.
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