Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Photographs from 1851, a newspaper account of Abraham Lincoln's acceptance of the 1864 presidential nomination and another from 1915 with a headline on the sinking of the Lusitania, a history of the First Baptist Church, coins and "functional currency" from 1863, business cards from 19th century Warsaw businesses.
Contents of the First Baptist Church of Warsaw's time capsule, which began with the church in 1851, will be replaced and reburied in the church's cornerstone Sunday. The historic documents and photos, which are in remarkably good shape, will be added to items from today that offer a glimpse of life in Warsaw in the 1990s.
The newspapers, bibles, photographs, currency, books and hymnals were packed into a copper box measuring 10 by 6 by 5-1/2 inches. The lid was soldered on and the box was originally placed in the church's cornerstone in 1851.
When the church burned and was rebuilt in 1915 on the corner of Center and Detroit streets in Warsaw, the box was opened and items were added. In 1995 when the church moved to Patterson Road, the time capsule again was opened. The contents were displayed during the dedication of the new church on June 3, 1996, and will be buried on Sunday.
The contents include fascinating historical touches, such as the "functional currency" - paper bills worth 5, 10 and 50 cents; or the newspaper account of the Lusitania sinking. Local people, such as the church's first minister and his wife, local businessmen and church members, also are highlighted.
Members of the First Baptist Church are holding the materials from the time capsule at their home until the dedication Sunday.
