Calcium oxide15 is known as lime1116 and is one of the top 10 chemicals1217 produced annually by thermal decomposition of limestone. The thermal decomposition of calcium carbonate to lime18 is one of the oldest chemical reactions known. For several thousand years, lime has been used in mortar (a paste of lime, sand and water) to cement stones to one another in buildings, walls and roads. The setting of mortar involves several chemical reactions.
1 Congregation Shearith Israel, 1654, Upper West Side, Manhattan, is the oldest congregation in New York and the United States. 2  Temple Society of Concord, 1839, Syracuse, New York.  Angel Orensanz Center, 1849, Lower East Side, Manhattan, is the oldest synagogue building still standing in New York State.
Trinity Church is located at the intersection of Broadway and Wall Street in downtown Manhattan. St. Paul's Chapel, part of the Parish of Trinity Church, is the oldest public building in continuous use in New York City. Trinity Episcopal Church in Fishkill, New York was started in 1756 with the missionary assistance of Trinity Church. Photo of Trinity Church and the schoolhouse of Trinity School (c. 17??).