Communion Sets

The original communion set used by the Richmond Bay Parish, which is now displayed in the Lot 16 United Church has an interesting history. The set was likely transported in early years between the churches on Communion Sundays. Robert Milligan, one of the four original elders, presented the set to the congregation. The word “presented” led to the belief that it was Milligan himself who bought the set for the congregation. However, minutes recorded at a session meet- ing held at Rose Hill, on Nov. 15, 1825, state, “A committee appointed by session met this day and sent Home orders through Mr. lVlilligan for sacramental plate and to be paid for (from) the funds of the churc .”

The silver communion service, pur- chased in Scotland, consisted of a large decanter, two goblets or chalices from which the wine was drunk and a silver tray Hugh D. Smith admiring the original for the bread. The early session minutes Communion Set purchased in Scotland in did not indicate the price paid for the set. A 1826 by the Richmond Bay East Session. session meeting was held at Lot 16,_]une 17,

The set was presented to the congregation 1827 to deal with the large amount still by Mr. Smith’s grandfather, Robert owing.

M’mm' M" smith Stated’ “The case the “The session agreed that the sum of 8 set came in, had red felt on the bottom

and the comers of the box were dove- pounds, 11 shillings and 11 pence as yet tailed. The only comers I ever saw that due on the Sacramental Plate and that it way.” Photo taken in the 1950s. shall be levied in equal proportion of 2/6 on each family who pay the stipend and appointedjohn MacKinnon, Charles Craswell and Arch’d Montgomery for levying and collecting the same irnmedi— ately.”

The initials, R. P. (Richmond Parish) and the date 1826 are engraved in scroll on the old set. The original set was used for communion service up until 1915 when the session made the decision to remove it from the church to the home of an elder. The set remained in the home for a period of forty-two years. Oral tradition has it that this move was made to keep individuals from claiming the set for them-

71 CHURCH PROPERTY: PAST AND PRESENT