Another church in Massachusetts has sold off its silver to repair the building. In this case, The Dorchester congregations raised $1.6m by offering 27 pieces, “collection of 17th and 18th century beakers, chalices, and tankards, made by American and British silversmiths,” 19 of which sold. Rev. Arthur Lavoie said the decision was not an easy one:

Lavoie said the 80-member congregation, which saw its numbers diminished in past decades by white flight and crime in the neighborhood, is growing again. Sunday attendance, now at 70, has more than doubled since 2005, he said.

Other UU congregations which have sold heirloom silver in recent years include the United First Parish Church, Quincy, Mass., which in 2001 received $2.7 million when Sotheby’s auctioned 11 pieces of Communion silver.

Arlington Street Church in Boston sold its silver collection at Christie’s in New York City in 2002, receiving $335,000. First Parish Cohasset, Mass., received $176,000 in 2009 from the sale of a set of silver Communion beakers and an antique chair.

Silver sale raises $1.6M for Massachusetts church (uuworld.org)