Corner Stone Relics

The Evening Review
Monday February 12, 1900

CORNER STONE RELICS
Built into St. Stephen's Church in 1877
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Examined at Evening Service
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Program of the Exercises at the Laying of the Stone
- Names of Church Officers at that time -
Copies of the old Time Church Papers

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The box placed in the corner stone of St. Stephen's Church Thursday October 11, 1877 at 3 pm was opened at the close of the services in the parish building last evening by Rev. Edwin Weary.

Before the opening of the treasures a short address was made by Reverend Weary relatively to the history of the box. The contents were then displayed to the congregation in the following order: One Bible and a prayer book presented to the church by Mr. Thomas, senior warden of the Church of the ascension, Wellsville: one silver coin dated 1877, one copy of Potter's gazette dated October 4, 1877, copy of the Standard of the Cross, the Episcopal Church Organ, edited by Rev. W. C. French, of Cleveland, dated October 18, 1877; Episcopal Church Almanac; Copy of the Churchman in which was a program of the order of the corner stone laying; copy of the Spirit of Missions, October 6, 1877; copy of the Journal of the Thirtieth Diocese and Convention.

The service on that date was in charge of Rev.Micki, then Pastor of the Church. After the usual Church services the cornerstone was laid by Rev. W. C.French, D.D. of Cleveland.

The following list of Officers of the Church at that time were placed in the box; Wardens, M. Bagley and Mr. Wilson: Vestrymen, Benjamin Harker, John Garner, James R. Rigby, Samuel and William Baggott. The Officers of the Sunday School were: William Wilson, Superintendent; John Garner, Secretary; Teachers, Joseph Barker, George Smith, J. T. Ross, Rose Peterson, Lydia Croxall, Annie Garner, Mary Mast and Sarah Johnson. The Building Committee consisted of George A. Humerick - house chairman; William Wilson -treasurer; Edward Pearson and John Garner.

Those who had contracts for the Church were; Masonry ; Phillips & Abrams, Brick; Surles & Bros,Carpenters; Merchant & Rodgers.

When the church was built the membership was 35 the collection for that year amounted to $358.06. Today the membership is 235, the collection last year amounted to $5190.

When the new corner stone is laid the contents ofthe old box will be placed in the new box.

The vestry with the several committees appointed by the congregation to solicit funds for the erection of the new Church will meet this evening in the parish building for the purpose of ascertaining how much money has been pledged.


Contributed by Virginia Stevens Plumley