A 100-year-old time capsule discovered at former St. Augustine’s Convent

Prayers were sought for the workers of the convent.

As South Boston NDC prepares the former St. Augustine’s Convent for its transformation into affordable senior housing, an extraordinary discovery brought the past vividly into the present: a time capsule hidden for nearly a century.

ICON Architectures’ Joe Daigneault discovered the box on Feb. 28, 2026 during his careful dismantling of the chapel altar to preserve it. He only looked at a few things before closing the box for a grand reveal!

South Boston NDC Executive Director Donna Brown invited some special guests for the unveiling on April 9: Sisters Margaret Lanen, Mary Reardon, Maria Delaney, and Ginny Scully of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN), whose predecessors’ work they were looking at, and ICON’s Alicia Tyler.

The moment of the unveiling was filled with curiosity, reverence, and a sense of connection across generations.

The fairly well-preserved contents revealed a deeply personal and communal record of life in South Boston nearly a century ago. Before Joe initially closed the box, among the first discoveries was a note that helped date the capsule: “It's a little note from the present community of 1927 to the future community.”

The architect surmised that when carpenters were getting ready to install the altar, there was likely a prayer ceremony and the box was put into the wall before the altar installation.

One particularly striking element captured the intent behind the collection: The second note in here was to “all the tradesmen, plumbers, painters, carpenters, and other workmen who built our home,” and then inside, also their relatives, friends, and benefactors, and then a prayer, said Joe.

“You know what this is?,” said Sister Maria. “They request prayers for people. They put them in that box. It’s a request for prayers.”

The time capsule offered a glimpse into the traditions and rituals of the era, including the practice of collecting written prayer intentions. 

The condition of the box reflected its long concealment: “So, when it was in the wall, it was on its side and it was wrapped … there was a remnant of a ribbon wrapped around it and parts of the ribbon had deteriorated. I took as much of the pieces out of the wall as I could with the box. It was literally fresh with 100 years worth of dust.”

The time capsule was very close to disintegrating, Joe said. “This was behind the chimney going from the boiler room all the way up through the roof. When your 100-year-old building starts to develop leaks, usually around the chimney box … this was six inches away from that opportunity.”

The box contained layers of materials — photographs of priests (the sisters weren’t allowed to have pictures taken at the time), prayer cards, lists of names, and handwritten notes — many tied to the spiritual and daily life of the convent and parish community. 

As the group carefully examined the contents, it became clear that the time capsule served not just as a historical record, but as a vessel of remembrance: “This is a box full of people they wanted to pray for,” said Sister Maria. “Maybe even people put intentions into this box for the living and the dead.”

Many of the documents reflected individual lives and relationships — lists of deceased loved ones, parishioners, and community members — preserved on fragile paper.

Just a few of the names included in the time capsule are:

• Mr. And Mrs. David Coughlin and family

• Mrs. Ann Roderick

• Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sullivan and family

• Mr. Charles McCarthy

• Joseph Noonan

• James Lucas

The emotional weight of the discovery was not lost on those present. The most meaningful aspect was the human connection across time. 

“My favorite thing is just that connection with the sisters in the past,” said Sister Ginny, with Sister Margaret adding that she is thankful for the sense of history that connects the Sisters through the years.

“It's been exciting getting ready for this and even more exciting seeing it,” Sister Margaret added.

Sister Mary was touched by the devotion of people to have their loved ones immortalized.

Sister Ginny loved the integrity the capsule represents.

After nearly 100 years hidden behind the altar, the box emerged as both a historical artifact and a testament to community, faith, and memory. As Sister Ginny reflected simply, 

“This is amazing.

“It makes me feel proud,” she continued, noting she was impressed with the care, responsibility, and inclusiveness the Sisters took.

Sister Mary is grateful to have this history, which gives a different perspective. “One hundred years … so much has changed.”

Now carefully preserved, the contents will be archived with the East West Province, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, to inform future storytelling and interpretation — ensuring that the voices and intentions of the past remain part of its future.

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South Boston NDC will be photographing all the items for display in McDevitt Senior Homes while the actual items will be sent to the Sisters of Notre Dame archivist for safekeeping in Ipswich.

The box found in the altar.