The Washington times., 1917-02-27
st. Johns Communicates Will
Drink From JeweIed Davis
ChaIice.
DESIGNED AS MEMORIAL
Gift Of Mrs. Bancroft Davis as
Token of Grief on Hus-
bands Death.

$4,000 golden, jewel encrusted
cup. left to fashionable St Johns
Episcopal Church by Mrs. Bancroft
Davis, communicant, as a memorial
to her husband, will be used in the
impressive communion services OF the
church Easter Sunday.
The cup. one of the most b autifuI
used as a communion chalice by any
American church. is safely resting be-
hind the heavy doors of a safety de-
posit vault in the Riggs National
Bank.
Only when il is to be used in the
solemn communion services of the
Episcopal Church is the cup taken
from its hiding place. Then, care
fully guarded, the valuable vessel is
transferred from the bank TO st.
Johns.
Ten inches high. and studded with
siNty-one diamonds. six rubbies. and
sapphire, the cup will live as an
everlasting monument to John Chand-
Ter Bancroft Davis. Mr.. Davis died
in 1907, and shortly after his heart
broken wife planned this memorial
Jewels Become Grief Token.
Quantities of gold were brought
from their repose OF years to be con-
verted into the expression of grief.
Brooches. pins, and other jewelry.
given to Mrs. Davis by her husband.
were put into the melting pot Added
to this was hundreds of dollars worth
of pure gold. purchased in the mar
ket. One of the best known jewelers.
OF New York, famous for his skill.
spent days to perfect the design of
the cup. Weeks of work were re-
quired for its completion.
Standing out from, the side of the
beautiful creation, a diamond cross
sheds a glow OF appeal. Another row
of diamonds surrounds the cup near
er the bottom. Six rubies and the
large sapphire complete the design.
In the most conspicuous spot of
the cup there stands forth a diamond
to delight the heart of a connoisseur-
OF bright compelling white, it holds
ones attention. This was Mrs. Davis
engagement diamond
Until the moment OF her death.
which occurred November %. of last
year, Mrs. Davis would not take the
diamond from her finger.
Completes ChaIIce On Death Bed.
As she was dying. she repeated her
iNANNoN NhdN hNi de
be placed in the center of the cross.
where a place had been left for it.
This was, of course, done.
At the bottom of the communion
vessel. there is engraved the follow
ing: I'm Memoriam of John Bancroft
Davis, Warden and Churchman.''
Only on occasions when THE SOL
emnity and appropriateness seem fit
ting will the magnificent cup be
brought from its place of safe keep
ing. The first time il was used was
on January il. at the Tooth ami
versary OF st. Johns establishment
Three or four times each year will
the cup be seen.
The Rev. Smith stated that on the
occasions which the cup would ap-
pear, special precautions would be
taken to safeguard it.
Prominent In society.
Mrs. Davis was well known in
Washington. She formerly was very
prominent in social activities here,
but of late years was forced to fore !
so much OF the entertainment of the !
younger society leaders because of !
failing health.
For the past quarter Of a century. /
she was prominently identified with /,
tie development of St Mary's Church, .
a colored settlement. When she first
went to ST. Marys. il was but a
shanty Of boards. upon a sea of mud. |
No streets led to the door. Pud-
dies, left by the rain, formed. The ,
neighborhood lacked sewerage ,
system.
Crowded into tiny -shacks. scores