Time Capsule Revealed

St. Saviour's Memorial Hall
Time Capsule Removed

By Jonn Lavinnder

The 89-year-old time capsule below the cornerstone of St. Saviour's Memorial Hall was removed Friday Septmeber 27, 2011 prior to the sale of the building.

Gerry Giasson, stone mason from Mountain Masonry took out the stone and the time capsule was presented to archivist Laura Fortier from Touchstones Museum by Ean Gower and Greg Scott.The contents were examined and put on display at a St. Saviour's Thanksgiving Party prior to donating the contents to Touchstones.

Greg Scott was interviewed by CBC All Points West the following day.

The cornerstone was laid on June 28, 1922 by Trail MLA and prominent Freemason James Schofield.The stone itself, measuring 18 by 18 by 16 inches, came from a Granite Road quarry, was cut by Alexander Ritchie and lettered by James May.

The Carbonate Street side has the Masonic emblem and the date, while the Ward St. side has the inscription D.O.M., standing for Deo Optimo Maximo, Latin for “To God, most good, most great,” and In Memoriam Virtutis Nostrum, translated as “In Memory of the Valor of Our Men.”

Its contents includes copies of the Nelson Daily News, a Nelson Miner report of the 1898 laying of the cornerstone on the church, lists of clergy, church officials, and officers, a portrait of the first bishop of Kootenay, lists of members of various organizations of the parish, and, perhaps most significantly, a hand-printed list of 219 men and three women from the parish who enlisted in World War I.

It’s the latter that most intrigues local historian Greg Scott, who initially suggested opening the cornerstone. Whereas most of the contents are available elsewhere, the list is not. The names were on a scroll lost in a 1929 church fire.

Greg Scott in an interview by the Nelson Star said, “If you read the story on the fire, Archdeacon Graham was more upset about that scroll being burnt than anything else.There is no other listing. That’s what spurred me to get involved and push for this.”

Contents of the Anglican Hall time capsule:

• Coins
• Hymn book
• List of city councillors
• Constitution of Grand Forks Lodge A.F. and A.M.
• Lists of members of various organizations of the parish
• List of officers of local and national veterans associations
• Photos of the church, neighborhood, city, clergy and wardens
• Notice calling the Masons to attend the cornerstone ceremony
• Copies of the Canadian Churchman and the Teachers Assistant
• Nelson Miner report of the 1898 laying of the church cornerstone
• Portrait of Rt. Rev. Alexander John Doull, first bishop of Kootenay
• Journal of the 16th session of the Synod of the diocese of Kootenay
• Copies of the Nelson Daily News of April 22, May 22, and June 28, 1922
• Hand-printed list of 219 men and three women from the parish who enlisted in World War I
• Church financial statement for 1921 and list of clergy, church officials, and officers
• Bylaws of Nelson Lodge No. 23, A.F. and A.M and list of officers and acting grand lodge officers