Plate, Communion
Object number2015.58.2
Manufacturer
Middletown Plate Company
Date1877
MediumSilver
Credit LineGift of Birmingham United Church of Christ
DescriptionSilver communion plate with stem and foot. Circular flared bowl with thin rim and rolled lip atop a stem with a round foot at bottom. Foot has three steps visible on exterior and interior. Side of bowl has inscribed German text. Inscribed maker text on underside is incomplete.Dimensions6.125 x 7.875 in. (15.6 x 20 cm)InscriptionsSide of bowl has inscribed text "Gewidmet vom Frauen Verein der V. E. Kirche 1877."
Translation note received with object reads "Dedicated by the Women's Association of U.E. [United Evangelical] Church 1877."
MarksInscribed text on underside "[maker's mark of scales] / MIDDLETOWN PLATE CO / QUADRUPLE PLATE / 1391 / H...TE METAL"; the last line likely should read "HOT WHITE METAL", but the inscription is incomplete.
Historical NotesThis item is part of the communion set used by the Birmingham United Church of Christ Part of a collection of items from the Birmingham United Church of Christ. The Birmingham United Church of Christ, originally chartered in June of 1846 as a United Evangelical Protestant Church, arose from the efforts of German-speaking residents living in the borough of Birmingham (now the South Side of Pittsburgh) who had worshipped at the Smithfield Street United Evangelical Protestant Church. Their first building was on Tenth and Bradford Street. In 1866, they laid the cornerstone for a brand new building at the corner of 17th and Jane Streets. In 1913, they began to conduct services in English as less and less congregants understood German. In 1924, the Birmingham Church joined other United Evangelical Protestant Churches in the General Council of Congregational Churches. In 1951, the church moved again to the South Hills on Ormsby Avenue, and in 1964, affiliated themselves with the Evangelical and Reformed Churches.
Previous owner
Birmingham United Church of Christ
Related institution
Women's Association of United Evangelical Church
On View
On view
Related Object
Related Object