St. Bernadette opens 1940 time capsule discovered in cornerstone

VIENNA

Rumors of a time capsule at St. Bernadette Church proved to be true.

Two crew workers of Vendrick Construction Inc. in Brookfield discovered the copper box about two weeks ago when they removed the cornerstone at the church, 7800 Locust St., Masury, where it was installed Oct. 27, 1940.

The box was opened Tuesday morning at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, 4453 Warren-Sharon Road, Vienna.

When the Diocese of Youngstown initiated downsizing in February 2010, St. Bernadette Church and St. Vincent de Paul Church in Vienna merged and signified a new beginning as St. Thomas. The parish is building a new church across the parking lot from St. Vincent.

As the event began, the Rev. Frank Zanni, pastor, read the Latin words engraved on the cornerstone: Ecclesia Sanctae Mariae Bernardae Anno Domini (church holy St. Bernadette in the year of our Lord) and the Roman numerals for 1940. About 30 parish members gathered to see the contents.

Read what they are in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.