A replica of the silver communion chalice carried to the lunar surface by Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 lunar landing on July 20, 1969, accompanied by a personalized photo of the Apollo 11 moon landing signed in silver by Aldrin, “The Silver Chalice, Buzz Aldrin.” Chalice measures three inches high and is set atop a four inch high crystal pedestal, with an affixed plaque reading, “A replica of the chalice used by Col. Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. in celebrating holy communion on the moon. Apollo 11 Tranquility base, July 20, 1969,” and signed under the plaque in silver ink, “Buzz Aldrin.” Aldrin returned the original communion chalice he used on the moon to Webster Presbyterian Church in Webster, Texas, where he served as an elder.
Accompanied by a certificate of provenance detailing the story of Aldrin taking communion on the moon, and reads, in part: “In coordination with Pastor Dean Woodruff of Webster Presbyterian Church, Webster, Texas, shortly after Apollo 11 touched down on the surface of the Moon, Buzz Aldrin partook of communion in the quiet confines of the lunar module. In a prearranged service the congregation of the church held communion services on Earth at Webster Presbyterian…The lunar communion services were coordinated with the national church headquarters and NASA officials. In order to avoid conflict of duties, the communion elements were stowed in Aldrin’s Personal Preference …This silver communion chalice was personally autographed by Buzz Aldrin, Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona.” Also accompanied by a laminated copy of Aldrin’s handwritten remarks and bible passages recited during his communion, a photo of the original chalice and Aldrin’s PPK Kit, and a photo of Aldrin taken at the time of signing. Also included is a hardcover copy of “The Apostles of Apollo” by C. L. Mersch, which includes a chapter “The Silver Chalice” detailing the communion event.
NASA had urged Aldrin not to celebrate the sacrament publicly. Atheist activist Madelyn Murray O'Hare had already filed suit because the Apollo 8 crew read from the Book of Genesis for all the world to hear as they orbited the moon on Christmas Eve the year before. So instead, Aldrin got on the radio shortly after the moon landing and broadcast a message for those listening on Earth to observe "a few moments of silence" to think about what had just happened and to give thanks in their own way. Aldrin then tuned off the microphone and served Communion to himself. This replica serves as a unique and inspirational artifact of the first lunar mission. Pre-certified Scott Cornish and RR Auction COA.
