Chalices of the 216th General Assembly

Interested in buying a chalice from the General Assembly's Sunday Worship?

These are always made by a local artist and this year's was a pewter chalice patterned from a Communion set used by the Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church in Defiance, Virginia in the 18th Century. This church opened in 1740 and is considered the oldest continuing Presbyterian Church in Virginia. The communion set was made in London in 1760.

Unfortunately, unlike other locations for General Assembly, Richmond's COLA -- Committee on Local Arrangements -- did not make these available to the general public. Other locations for the General Assembly have made these chalices available and sold them to those attending the Assembly, with the funds helping to pay for the cost of the Assemlby.

One person working with Richmond's COLA told me they sold all of the chalices online prior to the Sunday Worship service because they wanted them available only to the local community. I checked with the COLA office and the GA office at the Assembly, and no one could help me. The COLA office in Cokesbury's bookstore in the Assembly's Exhibition Hall was not helpful.

What a disappointment! I have a small collection of these chalices from previous Assemblies and use them in the local church for special occasions.

The man I talked with from the Richmond's COLA offered to sell me one of his for $200. A pretty steep price compared with other General Assembly chalices - normally about $30 to $40.

However -- good news! I have found the local artist, who was happy to sell me one, complete with the Presbyterian seal inscribed on the side. If you are interested in a chalice, contact Shirley Pewter in Williamsburg, VA.

And by the way -- rather than the $200 pricetag the fellow with the Richmond COLA was asking-- the artist only asked for $58. The Presbyterian seal was added for an additional $4. This was still expensive compared to other Assembly chalices, but a fair price (certainly more so than the $200 the individual with the Richmond COLA asked for).

Shirley Pewter can be found at the Market Square on the edge of Colonial Williamsburg near the William and Mary College. Call them at 1-800-550-5356. I found them very helpful! And their shop is full of wonderful goodies!