Posted 12:52 pm Monday, February 14, 2011
Trinity Lutheran Time Capsule Opened
By JAMES WATERSON
Staff Writer
Twenty-five years ago, a schoolwide project born out of a Texas history lesson left a lasting reminder of a school that stopped serving students in 1987.
Staff Writer
Twenty-five years ago, a schoolwide project born out of a Texas history lesson left a lasting reminder of a school that stopped serving students in 1987.
On Feb. 26, 1986, the institution's teachers and students buried a time capsule containing a Trinity Lutheran softball shirt, letters, Christian pamphlets, a tape recorder and other items.
Back then, the school had pre-K through eighth-grade classes, but it now has just a youth ministry.
The time capsule had two purposes: to show people in the future what life was like at the time and to serve as a catalyst for a reunion, said Rev. Donnie Hofman, the school's principal and seventh- and eighth-grade teacher.
Back then, the school had pre-K through eighth-grade classes, but it now has just a youth ministry.
The time capsule had two purposes: to show people in the future what life was like at the time and to serve as a catalyst for a reunion, said Rev. Donnie Hofman, the school's principal and seventh- and eighth-grade teacher.
“They all promised that if we did (a time capsule) and opened it in 25 years, they would all come back,” Hofman said.
On Sunday, many of them did, traveling from other East Texas cities and other states.
“It's neat to see some of the people here,” he said. “When I still think about 25 years, I see the kids I taught are now 40 years old, and I don't even recognize any of them!”
On Sunday, many of them did, traveling from other East Texas cities and other states.
“It's neat to see some of the people here,” he said. “When I still think about 25 years, I see the kids I taught are now 40 years old, and I don't even recognize any of them!”
Dean Ulrich, 59, taught fourth-grade classes from 1978 to 1987 and traveled from Indiana to attend the ceremony because he wanted to “renew friendships and share memories,” he said.
Unearthing the time capsule was a good way to do that, he said.
“I think there's always value to reflecting on what we had then and the blessings that come your way, even now,” Ulrich said.
Another person who went to Sunday's reunion, Jonny Kerr, 37, of Longview, went to the school from 1976 to 1987 and has fond memories of his time here.
“It's where I met my best friends, who are my best friends today,” he said.
Unearthing the time capsule was a good way to do that, he said.
“I think there's always value to reflecting on what we had then and the blessings that come your way, even now,” Ulrich said.
Another person who went to Sunday's reunion, Jonny Kerr, 37, of Longview, went to the school from 1976 to 1987 and has fond memories of his time here.
“It's where I met my best friends, who are my best friends today,” he said.
It was a good place to go to school, he said, because of how teachers like Ulrich taught them more than just academics.
“They were what teachers should be today. There were good times, but they still expected you to be respectful,” Kerr said.
After Trinity Lutheran Church’s morning services, dozens of the church’s congregants stayed for the ceremonial removal of the time capsule.
The contents of the capsule were removed last month to ensure that some of the items were intact.
But when they removed the containers, they discovered that the hole they were stored in had flooded.
“It was designed so it wouldn’t leak, but now it’s full of water,” Hofman said with a laugh.
While many of the items were damaged, the letters from the church’s pastor and principal and the pamphlets were preserved, said Ernie Clark, Trinity Lutheran Church board of elders chairman.
“What really survived was God’s word. It didn’t deteriorate as much.”
“They were what teachers should be today. There were good times, but they still expected you to be respectful,” Kerr said.
After Trinity Lutheran Church’s morning services, dozens of the church’s congregants stayed for the ceremonial removal of the time capsule.
The contents of the capsule were removed last month to ensure that some of the items were intact.
But when they removed the containers, they discovered that the hole they were stored in had flooded.
“It was designed so it wouldn’t leak, but now it’s full of water,” Hofman said with a laugh.
While many of the items were damaged, the letters from the church’s pastor and principal and the pamphlets were preserved, said Ernie Clark, Trinity Lutheran Church board of elders chairman.
“What really survived was God’s word. It didn’t deteriorate as much.”
