Time capsules unearthed at Łódź church

The findings, which include a metal tube containing documents dating back to 1923, were discovered during renovation works at St. Matthew’s Augsburg Evangelical Church.

The texts detail the historical background of the building alongside information on the social and economic situation in Poland after World War I.

“As we were pulling out old newspapers, banknotes and a letter written by the erstwhile citizens of Łódź left for future generations to open, we knew we were witnessing a historic moment,” Vicar Michał Makuła, rector of the parish, told the PAP news agency.

The discovery of the first capsule, which had been lying under the church floor for decades, followed the finding of another treasure trove inside a cross which collapsed from the church tower during a heavy storm last year.

The Łódź-based Evangelists have now chosen to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors, hiding their own time capsule on the church premises. Items collected inside include copies of the previously found documentation, modern-day papers and banknotes.

“There are many documents copied onto a pen drive, such as photographs, official papers issued by the parish, and footage featuring services,” Father Makuła explains. “We hope all this information will be accessible even after hundreds of years.” (aba/jb)

PAP Video on the findings (in Polish)