Our History
The 1618 Communion Silver
A chalice and two patens made in London in 1618, and at St. John’s since 1627.
A Precious Relic
Four Centuries at the Altar
St. John’s communion silver — a chalice and two patens, made in London in 1618 — has the longest history of use in America of any English church silver. It has been called “the most precious relic in the Anglican Church in America.”
The pieces were made for a new church in the colony, given by the will of Mistress Mary Robinson of London. They survived the destruction of that church, and have belonged to this parish since 1627. St. John’s still uses them for the Eucharist on special occasions.
From Smith’s Hundred to Hampton
1618
Made in London
The chalice and both patens carry the London date-letter for 1618–1619. They were made for St. Mary’s Church in Smith’s Hundred, founded in 1618 on the point between the Chickahominy and James Rivers, eight miles northwest of Jamestown, and were given to it by the will of Mistress Mary Robinson of London.
1619
Brought to Virginia
The silver crossed the Atlantic and was used at St. Mary’s, where the settlers of Smith’s Hundred worshiped.
1622
Carried to Jamestown
The church at Smith’s Hundred was nearly destroyed in the uprising of March 22, 1622, and its survivors fled to Jamestown. The silver went with Sir George Yeardley, Captain of the Hundred and later Governor of Virginia.
1627
Given to Elizabeth City Parish
At Yeardley’s death in 1627, Lady Yeardley gave the silver to the governing body at Jamestown, which awarded it that year to Elizabeth City Parish — today’s St. John’s — for its newly built second church.
Today
Still in Use
Nearly four hundred years on, the silver is still used at St. John’s for the Eucharist on special occasions.
Engraved in 1618
The Inscriptions
Each piece is engraved, in the spelling of its day.
The Chalice
“THE COMMVNION CVPP FOR SNT MARYS CHVRCH IN SMITHS HVNDRED IN VIRGINIA”
The First Paten
“Whosoever shall eate this bread and drinke the cupp of the Lord unworthily shalbe gilty of the body & blood of ye Lord” — from 1 Corinthians 11
The Second Paten
“If any man eate of this Bread he shall live for ever” — from John 6
Four Centuries of Worship
The silver is one chapter in the story of a parish founded in 1610.