Items from the Hale Memorial Church time capsule reveal details about Peoria in 1900

Leslie Renken, Journal Star
·3 min read
Paper conservator Ana Lyra unwraps a program from a meeting of the Illinois Epworth League, the Methodist Church youth group, in 1900, found inside the time capsule uncovered during the demolition of Hale Memorial Church at Main and High streets in Peoria. A handful of local historians gathered Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022 at the KDB Group offices in Peoria Heights for a viewing of some of the artifacts.

PEORIA – The time capsule from the Hale Memorial Church has begun to reveal its secrets.

The capsule was opened in September and is now about three quarters unpacked. It’s a painstaking effort from paper conservator Ana Lyra. The capsule was filled with newspapers, programs, photographs and a handful of old coins − items which reveal details not only about the church, but also what life was like in Peoria in 1900.

“What’s interesting to me is looking back at history and getting their perspective in 1900, of what was going on and the information in some of the ads,” said H. Wayne Wilson, one of a handful of local historians who got a sneak peek of the items on Thursday afternoon.

More:In unanimous decision, Hale Memorial Church to be given 'death with dignity' demolition

The congregation overcame debt to build the church

One artifact found in the Hale Memorial Church time capsule was a yellowed photograph of the congregation of the church in 1900.
One artifact found in the Hale Memorial Church time capsule was a yellowed photograph of the congregation of the church in 1900.

The time capsule was placed in the cornerstone of the church on Sept. 20, 1900. The new church at the corner of High and Main Streets was celebrated throughout the community. An article in the Peoria Journal-Transcript included in the capsule detailed the effort that went into erecting the church.

“A year ago when Rev. A.W. Lowther was appointed pastor of the church, it was overwhelmed with debt. The building was what the people needed and the congregation was thoroughly discouraged. Their attempts in previous years to build always resulted in failure. Rev. Lowther took hold of the building proposition with energy and enthusiasm and as a result of his efforts the indebtedness, aggregating $1,882, has been lifted. An elegant parsonage has been built costing $1,900 and the new church building is on the way. It is to be constructed of Bedford stone, to cost $20,000.”

A photo of the parsonage was also included in the time capsule.

Previous coverage:Hale Memorial Church time capsule is opened, but the contents are still a mystery

Ever heard of a half dime?

Advertising for long-gone Peoria-area businesses fill one page of a church newspaper found inside the time capsue of Hale Memorial Church.
Advertising for long-gone Peoria-area businesses fill one page of a church newspaper found inside the time capsue of Hale Memorial Church.

Another item of interest was a program from a gathering of the Illinois Epworth League, the Methodist Church youth group. The program was filled with ads for businesses and photos of the community, including one of the Fey Hotel, which was razed in 1936.

Other interesting items included: portraits of Dr. and Mrs. Wilkinson, who apparently contributed to the church building project, and a group photo of people gathered around the cornerstone. The time capsule also revealed some coins, including two half dimes, the precursor to the quarter, and a coin dated 1853.

More:What will happen to stone from Hale Memorial Church? It may see new life in East Peoria

An effort to preserve history

Paper conservator Ana Lyra points out some damage to the spine of a well-preserved copy of The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1900 discovered in the Hale Memorial Church time capsule.
Paper conservator Ana Lyra points out some damage to the spine of a well-preserved copy of The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1900 discovered in the Hale Memorial Church time capsule.

The time capsule was removed when the church was razed by KDB Group late last summer. They had purchased the property with the hope of saving it, but structural studies determined the building was beyond repair.

KDB Group has worked to preserve as much from the church as possible. Greg Birkland, CEO and president of KDB Group, donated the stone to a local businessman who plans to use it to build a brewery and tasting room in East Peoria. Birkland also had the stained-glass windows removed and restored, and he hired Lyra to clean and preserve the contents of the time capsule. The artifacts may be exhibited at some point in the future, and eventually they will be donated to a local group specializing in the preservation of historical artifacts, said Birkland.

“I want to preserve it for another 100, 150, 200 years.”

Leslie Renken can be reached at (309) 370-5087 or lrenken@pjstar.com. Follow her on Facebook.com/leslie.renken.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Hale Memorial Church time capsule reveals 'interesting' Peoria history