I have really never thought about taking the train to New Windsor from Westminster, but apparently that's what they used to do in 1897, according to a July 3, 1897, news item in the now out-of-print Westminster newspaper, The American Sentinel.

"This afternoon at one o'clock, the corner-stone of the new Methodist Episcopal Church, about to be erected at New Windsor, will be laid with Masonic ceremonies, by Door to Virtue Lodge, of this city.

"The members of the lodge will meet at Masonic Hall, in the Wantz Building, at 11:45 this morning, and leave for New Windsor on the 11:53 train."

A week later, on July 10, 1897, the Sentinel carried a front-page story about the fruits of that train journey -- the laying-of-the-cornerstone ceremony for the new church for St. Paul's United Methodist Church in New Windsor.

As faithful readers may recall from the July 11 edition of The Eagle, we discussed how the St. Paul's cornerstone project was a big deal celebrated across the county. Every detail was included in the newspaper account:

"The exercises of the occasion began with a scripture reading by the presiding elder of the district, Rev. Chas. W. Baldwin, and prayer was offered by Rev. Joel Brown, pastor of Centenary Church, this city," noted the article.

"Rev. Thomas S. Long, senior pastor of New Windsor Circuit, then read a Psalm. ... (T)he ceremony of laying the stone, in accordance with the ritual of the church, was performed by Presiding Elder Baldwin. The building committee is constituted as follows: Rev. Thos. S. Long, chairman; Isaiah Nusbaum, treasurer; Charles Jones, secretary, and George P. B. Englar.

"The estimated cost of the structure is $7,000 and it is to be ready for occupancy by November 1st, 1897.

"It will stand on the site of the old church, which was removed to give it place, and when completed there will be few more attractive places of worship in the county. The best material will be used in its construction."

The article also described the building in glowing terms:

"The new edifice will be a beautiful and convenient structure. It will be built of brick, with slate roof...

"It will have a well proportioned tower, 70 feet in height ... and will have a seating capacity ... of 480.

"The interior will be finished in yellow pine and cypress in the natural colors and the windows will be of the cathedral glass. The pews will be of oak. ... It will be heated by a furnace of the most approved pattern, lighted with the best Fink Reflector and will be handsomely carpeted. A fine toned bell will be placed in the tower. The style of architecture will be modern."

Almost makes you want to go to church.

Another interesting detail is that the newspaper account described contents of a time capsule planted at the church -- which included the "names of trustees and building committee; list of subscribers to the building fund of the new church; a nickel and a copper coin of 1897 ..."

I wonder if the church has ever re-opened the time capsule?

When he is not sitting in a pew all the way in the back, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.

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