150th Anniversary Celebration of the Laying of the Cornerstone
The Coleman Memorial Chapel
August 24, 2024 @ 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
We extend a warm welcome to the community to participate in the anniversary celebration of the laying of the cornerstone on August 26, 1874. All of the events, with the exception of the tour of the Steigel-Coleman Mansion, are free to the public. Donations to support the maintenance of the chapel will be appreciated.
Please bring your own lawn chair.
Saturday, August 24, 2024
10:00 a.m. Floyd Foster, Country Gospel Singer, will bring his ministry of music to the chapel grounds singing a wide variety of music for all ages. Location: Pavilion.
10:00 a.m. The chapel will be open for self-guided tours.
10:30 a.m. Guided tour of the chapel.
11:00 a.m. KooKoo the Cartoon Magician combines logic-defying cartoon antics with traditional magic illusions and gags for a child-friendly experience that has to be seen to be believed. Location: Chapel Fellowship Room
12:00 Noon “Field of Dreams” 19th Century Baseball Match. The Keystone Base Ball Club of Harrisburg and the Hunkey Dora Base Ball Club of Lansdale will present two matches (games) of 19th century baseball. Location: field next to pavilion.
1:00 p.m. Chris Ivey, Character Juggler. For over 20 years Chris has been entertaining audiences with his unique approach to juggling theater. His family-friendly show has been seen on national television, famous locations, and hundreds of churches. Location: Chapel sanctuary.
3:00 p.m. Opening of the cornerstone. The Coleman Chapel Council will reenact the Corner Stone Laying Service that occurred on August 26, 1874; however, this time the time capsule that is inside the corner stone will be removed and opened.
4:00 p.m. Guided tour of the chapel which remains open until 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 25, 2024
10:15 a.m. Morning Worship Service will include Communion with the original communion service from 1877 and a rededication of the chapel.
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Elizabeth Furnace grounds open for self-guided tours.
1:00 p.m. the Steigel-Coleman Mansion (1st floor) will be open for tours to those who have a ticket in exchange for a $5 donation.
Also beginning at 1:00 p.m. there will be several presentations in the Stable:
Author of Souls of Iron, James L. Polczynski will present the remarkable story of a multi-generational family iron mining and manufacturing dynasty in Central PA which began before the Revolutionary War and lasted until shortly after WWI.
Dan Snyder, will present a program on the past 21 years of archeology ongoing at Elizabeth Iron Furnace which dates back to 1750. The work, begun initially by Jeff Driesbach and later joined by Dan and many volunteers, uncovered the iron furnace ruins, portions of other buildings, plus thousands of artifacts that help explain Lancaster County’s early industrial history.
Cory Van Brookhoven, author of the new book Mysterious Lititz Ghosts, True Crime, UFOs and More, will talk about how the book takes readers on a unique journey into Lititz’s lesser-known history. Tales of the supernatural, murder, strange tombstones, unique places, unexplained phenomena, ghostly activity and much more are all included in the collection.
