More than 150 community members gathered at Christ Church Reading on May 9 to celebrate the church’s 200th anniversary with the exhumation of a time capsule sealed inside the church’s brownstone steeple cornerstone in 1863.
The capsule, which had remained hidden for 163 years, was carefully removed by Ken Saul, president of Restoration Artisans, using a diamond chainsaw to cut through the historic cornerstone. Church officials said the capsule dated back to the same year President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Inside, organizers discovered several Civil War-era artifacts, including coins from 1863, an Indian Head penny, silver coins, copies of the Reading Daily Times and Berks and Schuylkill Journal, a printed list of U.S. government officers naming Lincoln as president, and a Christ Church service bulletin dated Sept. 6, 1863, marking the day the cornerstone was re-laid.
Attendees also heard remarks from Rev. Bryce Wandrey of Christ Church, Saul, and Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez of Pennsylvania, who offered a blessing during the ceremony. Church officials noted the moment carried additional significance because Bishop William White of Pennsylvania had consecrated the church 200 years earlier.
Megan McNish, Eastern Region Coordinator for the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office, spoke about the value of preserving historic landmarks.
“Our efforts to preserve pieces of our past are what we pass on to future generations,” McNish said. “These places and spaces are integral links to the people and movements that forged ahead to build to today.”
The event also marked the public unveiling of the church’s newly restored nave and sanctuary following an extensive plaster renovation completed earlier this year. The restored interior featured stained-glass windows and a 1911 pipe organ as the Berks Youth Chorus performed during the celebration.
A reception followed the ceremony with desserts donated by Sweet Street and live music by Dave Cullen.
During the reception, Reading City Council President Donna Reed and Councilman Christopher Miller presented the church with a City of Reading Certificate of Appreciation recognizing Christ Church’s longstanding contributions to the community and its role within the Callowhill Historic District. The church also received a Pennsylvania Senate congratulatory resolution sponsored by Sen. Judy Schwank.
In remarks during the event, Wandrey reflected on the church’s bicentennial milestone and its connection to the city.
“[Christ Church] celebrates our past, in this living and vibrant present, with hope for the future,” Wandrey said. “We are celebrating a community of people who here not only love our God but love you, the people of this city.”
Church officials said bicentennial celebrations will continue with a neighborhood block party scheduled for July 18 from noon to 5 p.m., featuring food trucks, children’s activities, community organizations, a bounce house, and music by the John King Dance Band.
According to church officials, Christ Church Reading traces its roots to 1763, while the current church building was consecrated in 1826. The church most recently completed a nearly $1 million restoration project focused on the nave and sanctuary plasterwork.