25 Dec second time capsule extracted from flizikowski and kaiser’s german evangelical lutheran church (1890-96) shortly before being reduced to rubble
a second time capsule buried within the lightly incised lemont limestone cornerstone of the church erected in 1890 and destroyed by fire in 1896, was removed intact earlier this week.
once again, the soldered-joint zinc box or time capsule was damaged upon careful removal from the joilet limestone cornerstone interior cavity. the underside and sides of the compromised metal box were corroded to the point that the paper contents was partially exposed. the dampened contents were immediately placed in a freezer, which will arrest any fungal growth and/or chemical changes until its handed over to a conservator.
undamaged newspapers, notes, and coinage were photographed and/or scanned in the bld. 51 museum studio (see below for images, including the hand-written letter and an in-depth translation performed by logan square preservation president, andrew schneider.
The handwriting is a mix of Kurrent (old German script) and Lateinische Schrift (Latin script, used for names and English terms). Here is a transcription and translation of the key pages.
1. The Civic Context (img273.jpg)
This page places the church in time by listing the current political leaders in 1890.
| German Transcription | English Translation |
| Präsident der Vereinigten Staaten | President of the United States |
| Benjamin Harrison | Benjamin Harrison |
| Staatsgovernor | State Governor |
| [Joseph] Fifer | [Joseph] Fifer |
| Stadtmayor | City Mayor |
| [DeWitt Clinton Cregier – partially illegible] | |
| Note at bottom: mit denselben Sachen July 28, 90 | Note: with the same things July 28, 90 |
2. Church Foundation & Building Costs (img274.jpg & img275.jpg)
These pages describe the founding of the congregation and the financial details of the building project.
Transcription Highlights:
- Name: Evang. Luth. Christus Gemeinde, Chicago Ills. (Evangelical Lutheran Christ Congregation).
- Founding: Diese Gemeinde wurde im Mai 1885… organisiert. (This congregation was organized in May 1885).
- Building Details: Mention of the Südost-Ecke (Southeast corner) and the laying of the cornerstone on June 22, 1890.
Financials (img275.jpg):
- Carpenter Work: Gustav Kinderle for $11,112.00.
- Masonry/Brickwork: Frank Köpke for $9,850.00.
- Other Costs: Mentions of “Galv. iron, cast iron, gas fitting” and an estimated total cost including the organ (Orgel) of roughly $15,000.00.
3. The Leadership & Members (img276.jpg, img278.jpg, Unknown.jpg)
These pages contain a “Who’s Who” of the German-American community in Logan Square in 1890, including their home addresses.
Church Officials (img276.jpg):
- Pastor: E. Werfelmann (living at 9 Cornelia St.)
- Lehrer (Teachers): Louis Steinbach, Otto Bolo.
- Kirchen-Vorsteher (Deacons/Trustees): Ingwer Jensen, Karl Münster, Carl Götz.
- Schulvorstand (School Board): Johann Wagner, Albert Adam, Gustav Mussmann.
- Cassirer (Treasurer): Franz Schwahn.
Membership List (img278.jpg & Unknown.jpg):
The lists are numbered and include many classic German names. Some notable entries:
-
- Friedrich Bauermeister
- August Rehbein
- Friedrich Griese
- Gabriel Wegner
- Ferdinand Tews
4. Closing Spiritual Message (img275.jpg bottom)
The letter ends with a religious exhortation, likely from Pastor Werfelmann:
“I. Von dem guten Grund lassen, was sie als ihren Glauben bekennt.”
(Translation: Do not abandon the good foundation of what they profess as their faith.)
“II. Von dem guten Grund lassen, was sie als ihren Trost festhält.”
(Translation: Do not abandon the good foundation of what they hold fast as their comfort.)
Page 1: Civic Context (img273.jpg)
This page identifies the era by listing the political heads of state at the time the time capsule was sealed.
| German Transcription | English Translation |
| Präsident der Vereinigten Staaten | President of the United States |
| Benjamin Harrison | Benjamin Harrison |
| Staatsgovernor | State Governor |
| [Joseph] Fifer | [Joseph] Fifer |
| Stadtmayor | City Mayor |
| [DeWitt Clinton Cregier] | [DeWitt Clinton Cregier] |
| Lower Margin: | |
| [est.] Juli 22, 1890 | [established] July 22, 1890 |
| mit denselben Sachen July 28, 90 | with the same things July 28, 90 |
| E. Werfelmann, Pastor | E. Werfelmann, Pastor |
Page 2: History & Site (img274.jpg)
This page explains the origins of the church and its location in Chicago.
German Transcription:
Kurze Geschichte der Evang. Luth. Christus Gemeinde Chicago Ills.
Diese Gemeinde wurde im Mai 1885 von der St. Johannes Gemeinde in Chicago aus abgezweigt.
Die Grundsteinlegung dieses neuen Gotteshauses an der Südost-Ecke dieses Grundstücks mit eingemauert. Zwischen 5–7 Uhr Abends wurde in dieser Zeit die Grundsteinlegung vollzogen.
English Translation:
Short History of the Evang. Luth. Christ Congregation Chicago, Ills.
This congregation was branched off from the St. John’s Congregation in Chicago in May 1885.
The laying of the cornerstone of this new house of God [is being] walled-in at the southeast corner of this property. Between 5:00 and 7:00 in the evening, the cornerstone laying was completed.
Listed Names & Addresses at bottom:
- Albert Adam: 1742 Milwaukee Ave.
- Friedrich Griese: 1078 Milwaukee Ave.
- Franz Fischer: 26 Mozart Str.
- August Fischer: 26 Mozart Str.
- Ferdinand Tews: 975 Rockwell Str.
- Ferdinand Korff: 760 Armitage Ave.
- Robert Thiele: 40 Mozart Str.
Page 3: Construction Costs (img275.jpg)
This page details the financial investment in the building.
German Transcription:
…dieses Gebäudes verfertigt. Gustav Kinderle für die Summe von $11,112.00 incl. Schornstein.
Die Maurerarbeit wurde Frank Köpke übergeben für die Summe von $9,850.00 incl. Galv. iron, cast iron, gas fitting & painting.
Die anderen Kontrakte waren zur Zeit der Grundsteinlegung noch nicht vergeben, doch veranschlagt man den ganzen Bau mit Bänken, Altar, Orgel etc. auf $45,000.00.
Geschehen Chicago am 22 Juni 1890.
English Translation:
…[the work] of this building completed. Gustav Kinderle for the sum of $11,112.00 including the chimney.
The masonry work was given to Frank Köpke for the sum of $9,850.00 including galvanized iron, cast iron, gas fitting & painting.
The other contracts were not yet awarded at the time of the cornerstone laying, but the entire construction, including pews, altar, organ etc., is estimated at $45,000.00.
Done in Chicago on June 22, 1890.
Page 4: Church Leadership (img276.jpg)
A list of the “officials” of the church as of June 22, 1890.
| Office | Name & Address (as written) |
| Pastor | E. Werfelmann, No 9 Cornelia Str. |
| Lehrer (Teachers) | 1. Louis Steinbach, 947 North Ave. / 2. Otto Polo, 1190 Western Ave. |
| Kirchen-Vorsteher | 1. Ingwer Jensen, 62 Bingham Str. / 2. Karl Münster, Ledge Ave. / 3. Carl Götz, 101 Cornelia Str. |
| Schulvorstand (School Board) | Johann Wagner, Albert Adam, Gustav Mussmann, Karl Britzke |
| Cassirer (Treasurer) | Franz Schwahn, 47 Byron Ave. |
| Kirchen Diener (Sexton) | Ingwer Jensen |
Page 5-8: Membership Lists (img278, img279, Unknown, 276 bottom)
These are lists of voting members (Stimmberechtigte Glieder). I have extracted the names that are most legible:
- 27. Friedrich Frimbler
- 29. Gustav Stammer
- 30. Wilhelm Adam
- 34. Richard Büttner
- 37. Jürgen Luth
- 59. Friedrich Lilian
- 60. Hermann Arndt
- 62. Friedrich Bauermeister
- 63. Johann Bauermeister
- 66. Julius Müller
- 67. Karl Schröder
- 70. Joachim Ritt
- 84. Gabriel Wegner
- 86. Ferdinand Tews
- 88. Heinrich Klute
- 89. Friedrich Bruschke
Historical Context Note
The $45,000 estimated cost in 1890 is roughly equivalent to $1.5 million today. The addresses provided are particularly interesting because they show the congregation lived within walking distance in what is now Logan Square and Bucktown.
Additional Documents photographed in studio:
