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Two Communion tokens from the Free Church of Scotland

Two small, oval, lead tokens stamped with “Tiree Free Church” on one side and “Do this in rememberance of me” on the other, belonging to Lachlan and Joanne MacLean, Druimfraoich. Possession of a Communion Token authorised the bearer to take part in Holy Communion. They were widely used in Scotland from the time of the Reformation until the middle of the 19th (20th?) century.

In the weeks before the celebration of Communion the church`s elders (or a Catechist) would visit each member and examine his or her knowledge of the faith and purity of life. Those who met with the elders` approval were given a small lead token, which permitted them to receive Communion. This was to prevent exposing the Lord’s Table ‘to profanation by immoral and unfaithful people`. This example is from the Free Church of Scotland and was manufactured some time after 1843.

Tiree in 100 Objects – 74 – Communion tokens

The History of Tiree in 100 Objects

Object Details

Other Number: not specified

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