On Saturday, the Emmanuel UCC Church in Bowmanstown peered into local history and a slice of life from about 120 years ago. Judy Hoffman, president of the church’s Consistory, opened a time capsule that had been a part of the church since circa 1905.

A Bible found in the time capsule was published circa 1890.

In addition to the Bible, a hymnal with lyrics only, a Heidelberg Catechism book, two handwritten notes, a church newsletter, and two local newspapers were found in the time capsule.

One handwritten note contained names of the ‘officers, members and helpers’ of the church, while the other had the names of the Ladies Aid Society. The society donated land to the church, and the iconic bell was put in place in 1908.

The church newsletter found in the time capsule was from 1905, and called the Reformed Church Record, which contained happenings from the church. The Lehighton Press and the Carbon Advocate, both from 1905, were also preserved in the time capsule.

Church members enjoyed looking at advertisements and stories from the time, perhaps most notably being how newspapers used to print visitations. Travel was much different back then, making visitations often newsworthy.

“It’s so interesting to see these pieces of history, and seeing how life was back then,” Hoffman said. “History is amazing.”

Hoffman and other church members hope the Bowmanstown borough and local historical societies can help preserve the bell for another century and more.

“We would like to see the bell kept at the borough,” Hoffman said.

Moving the bell to a borough garage for temporary storage will take place on Tuesday.