Members of the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church won’t reveal the contents of the time capsule that once served as the cornerstone of their demolished church — so all we can do is speculate. Luckily, we’re some of the most informed historians in the borough, so here’s what might be in the historic trove:
• Photos of President McKinley, partying like it’s 1899.
• A postcard that reads, “Welcome to Yellow Hook!”
• One jar of pickled cabbage, grown on the Ovington family farm.
• A complaint letter from local residents, claiming that the church — which was the tallest building in the neighborhood at the time — would ruin their sweeping views of Manhattan.
• A letter from church architect George W. Kramer that states, “If you’re reading this, I’m mad at you.”
— Andy Campbell
