In the fall of 1979, excavation for the foundation of the new Volunteer Room uncovered the site identified by archaeologists as the place where bricks were fired for the building of Christ Church. The clay for the bricks was dug nearby. A diary entry by Robert Cartery dated 28 February 1726 records, "Sunday rainey went to church a very thin congregation 5 holes of my kiln quite black by the coming out of the church the fires were very well up."