This article was originally published in the church newsletter after the restoration of the clock tower was completed in 1996 and highlights the event of the day the clock tower was rededicated and a new time capsule was laid.
Author Unknown (may have been Paul Collier)
The day dawned cloudy and cool, and the doubts began to build in the minds of the committee, as we began to set up chairs and tables on the lawn. The Choir Institute arrived to set up their speakers system. The day of Dedication had come.
Sunday School students of all ages arrived and gathered in the sanctuary, because the Simpson Room was set up for lunch. At the conclusion of the opening, the Nursery Class went outside to view the contents of the time capsule, spread out on two tables on the lawn. The Confirmation Class assisted in explaining and reading to the children. Each class, through the teens, came in turn to view history in the making.
Worship began at 11, a service of praise of God, which featured Rev. Paul Schrading, assistant to Bishop George Bashore and former District Superintendent of the Pittsburgh District, who preached on the topic: “It’s High Time!” Dr. Schrading reminded us that there are two words in Greek that are translated “Time”. One is Chronos, time as marked by a clock, the passage of minutes and hours; the other is Kyros, which is God’s time, time with meaning. In the rededication of the Tower, the two come together – reminding us of God’s place in all that we do in mission as the Church.
Our worship closed with the congregations singing “Lord, Speak to Me” and processing outside. (The rain that fell during the service had stopped!) Jack Morrow reviewed the story of the removal of the original time capsule and our disappointment that almost everything turned to dust, then reminded us of the opportunity to leave a legacy for the future. Bill Scott and Alexis Kunsak placed the time capsule into the opening, and Rev. Schrading and Rev. Bradley inserted the stone and shared prayers for the Re-laying of the Cornerstone. Just as the stone was pushed in place, the clock struck noon, its twelve rings seeming to affirm all that was happening. (God’s Holy Spirit was surely shining on us, as we completed that worship a full five minutes ahead of schedule!)
After saying grace, the congregation moved to the Simpson Room to share a delicious croissant sandwich box lunch and Christian fellowship until 12:30 p.m.
Throughout the luncheon, people came and filled the lawn, visiting until the arrival of the Sewickley Choir Institute, the Full-Gospel Mini Band (4 trumpets), and our Cancel Choir, who filled the air with beautiful praise until 12:59. Confirmation class students distributed programs and greeted those who came.
Conservatively, 300 people, both citizens of the community and church members, stood and sat in the silence following the music… silence that was broken by the single chime of the Church Bell, followed by the chimes playing “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”. As the last notes echoed away, the pastor began the Invocation (only to be interrupted by the daily test of the Fire Horn from the Borough Building down Thorn Street.) Amid the laughter, prayer continued.
Jim Theys greeted those present and introduced the special guests who were gathered to share in our celebration and receive our thanks. He indicated that one of the empty chairs in the front row of the platform was reserved for Pete Wagner, who had been our construction supervisor until his death last year.
Paul Collier shared a capsule review of the history of the church and the clock tower. He shared some basic facts and some humorous incidents from the past.
Mayor Ken Johns, who proudly claimed to be a descendent of the builder of the church and tower, read his declaration of Sunday, September 15 as Clock Tower Day in Sewickley.
Malachi Whalen spoke for the Borough Council, Elisa Cavalier for Pittsburgh History and Landmarks, and Paul Schrading for the Bishop, each expressing the support of the Tower Project.
The Saints Plaque, listing those who contributed more than $1,000, was unveiled by Paul Collier, following words of appreciation from Bob Fulton, Chairperson of the Church’s Administrative Board.
Rev. Bradley shared a word to the future, reminding everyone that we need to continue our spirit of cooperation, not just for the good of the clock, but for all that we share as residents of this community.
The Combined Choirs sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” ending with the glorious sound of trumpets. In the silence that echoed following the applause of all present, the choirs began to move as the clock struck twice, its own applause for the glorious praise which had just been experienced.
A prayer of dedication was prayed by Rev. Bradley for the Church, Rev. Thomas Moog, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, representing the religious community of Sewickley, and Rev. Schrading, representing the Bishop and the United Methodist Church. As a final act, a litany of unity was led by Tom Wright, with all present responding “TOGETHER WE STAND AND EXPERIENCE THE FLOW OF GOD’S GIFT OF TIME.”
The afternoon ended with a reception, a beautiful cake baked and decorated by Judy Hetzell, along with cookies and punch, that allowed people to linger and share their own memories of the church and the clock.
As the crew removed the chairs and took down the tents, the rain began again. A crisp autumnish day ended with rain falling around the tower, as it has for more than a century. The clock continued to strike the hours; Sewickley was comfortable once again. Thanks to all who have worked and supported the Village Clock Tower Project.
This day was a very exciting day with the completion of the reconstruction of the clock tower and restoring the clock. We inserted a new time capsule into the cornerstone to be opened in one hundred years (2096).