(Editor’s Note: This article was first written around the time of the demolition of Chanel High School in 2020 but never officially published. It is about some of the items that were found in the St. Peter Chanel High School time capsule found at that time. A special thank you to Sam Fiorentino for the help.)
The year was 1956.
More than a decade had past since the Great Depression, and World War II had dominated American life, but there was a new optimism in the air. An economic boom was taking place in the country, along with a “baby boom,” as the population was increasing by the millions. Elvis Presley had his first hit on the charts, The Ten Commandments premiered on movie screens and Dwight Eisenhower was ready to win election to his second term.
The year 1956 also marked the beginning of construction on the new St. Peter Chanel High School on Northfield Road in Bedford. Chanel was opened in September 1957 by the Society of Mary (Marist priests) who both lived in the building and taught there for years. After 56 years of service, the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland decided to close the school’s doors at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. The Bedford School District, in turn, bought the building and adjoining land in 2018 for $1.4 million. Demolition of the building was completed in the summer of 2020.
Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune The datestone on the St. Peter Chanel High School building is shown before being removed this summer prior to the building’s demolition. Workers found a time capsule that had been placed there when the building was constructed in 1956.
There had been a rumor that a time capsule had been placed somewhere within the building when it was first built. As plans for the demolition moved forward, it allowed those involved to take a closer look at where that hiding place might have been.
One place Chanel alumni thought it might be was behind the datestone on the front of the building by the doors. And they were right. Shown below are a number of photos and artifacts taken from the capsule. Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Cuts are shown in the concrete around the datestone on the front of the Chanel building prior to the stone’s removal.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune The time capsule box is shown here in the concrete block behind the datestone.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune The time capsule is show here prior to being opened.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Included in the contents of the box was a drawing of the new school building on Northfield Road.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune A letter from The Rev. Charles J. Willis announcies the entrance examinations for the first class at the school. The cost for the examination was $2.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune This paper gave information about the school, including where it received its name.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Shown here is a constructions sign posted during the building of the high school.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Saint Chanel Prayer CardMark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune A dedication program for the the St. Pius X Church and School located on Center Road. The church is now called Our Lady of Hope.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune A Bedford Community Guide is shown here published by the Citizen’s League for the 1955-1956 year.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune This picture shows the front page of the Cleveland Plain Dealer from Tuesday April 30, 1957.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Some loose change showing dates like 1948, 1952 and 1956.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune A December 1956 edition of The Catholic Educator was also in the capsule.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune A church publication showing the events of the week of April 28, 1957.Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune Index List of Priests, 1955Mark Sellards | The Bedford Tribune A Souvenir Card from the 50-year Jubilee Celebration for the Archbishop Edward Hoban, 1953.
