READING, Pa. – For 200 years, the Christ Episcopal Church in Reading has stood supporting the community of Reading. Saturday afternoon was a time to celebrate its history.
“Christ Church was the first English-speaking congregation in Reading. When they first came here, everybody was speaking German and they said, ‘Oh I don’t know if anyone will even be interested in an English church’,” said Diane Morris, Head of the Outreach Committee for the church.
But centuries later, they’re still here. The afternoon was a celebration of the community of Reading and a church that has stood the test of time.
The huge spire that went up in 186,. I’ve just telling Bishop Daniel that when the workers were up there, they thought they heard thunder, so they came down so they weren’t up there during lightening,” said church Rector, Bryce Wandrey. “They were actually hearing cannon fire from the Battle of Gettysburg while they were up there.”
In 1863 members of the church left something behind the wall, a time capsule.
“7 inches of stone behind it,” said Wandrey. Workers needed a diamond chainsaw to cut through to it.
Once they opened it, they found historic treasures. “There’s 13 coins, one dating back from 1803 others 1863. Full proof set of coins from that time along with Bibles and books of common prayer and minutes and bylaws from our history as well.”
The items are on display. More celebrations are scheduled throughout the summer to celebrate not only the church’s history, but its future as well.
Wandrey said, “We want to be a central point for the people of Reading to come and make their lives better.”