About the Chalice

At the opening of worship services, we light a flame inside a chalice. This flaming chalice has become a well-known symbol of Unitarianism. The symbolism is not precise, but historically the chalice can be seen as a symbol for sharing among all people and the flame as a symbol for respect for truth.

The symbol had its origins in a logo designed by Austrian refugee Hans Deutsch for the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) in 1941. In occupied Europe during World War II, the flaming chalice became an underground symbol for assistance in helping Unitarians, Jews, and other people escape Nazi persecution.

After 1941, the flaming chalice symbol spread throughout Unitarianism in North America and the rest of the world. The symbol gradually became more than a printed logo; eventually congregations began displaying the symbol in their worship spaces.

Our Chalice Stand

The stand that our chalice is placed on was crafted and presented to the congregation by his co-workers in memory of Robert Corse. Robert lost his life while vacationing with his family at the Wilderness camp. The inscription on the metal band directly beneath the chalice reads: “Built by his friends in loving memory of Robert Corse, a master craftsman.”