Bible Marathon Gets Underway at St Anne, Limehouse

19/06/08

The church of St Anne, Limehouse was the venue of an attempted 74 hour non-stop read of the entire Bible which began today. 300 readers drawn from all walks of life and including members of the House of Lords, local vicars, School Head Teachers, English Hymn writers and MP Jim Fitzpatrick will each read for 15 minutes day and night to complete this unique challenge.

At 8.30 a.m. this morning, the Bishop of London read Genesis chapter 1. 74 hours and 300 readings later, Admiral the Lord West of Spithead will read Revelation chapter 22 at the East End church of St Anne in Limehouse.

Whilst the reading is going on people can see a rare exhibition of Bibles including many of the newest Bibles available in the UK to some of the oldest and rarest on British soil. The Bibles featured also include the personal Bibles of Elvis Presley, Florence Nightingale and Princess Diana.

Free to attend at any stage, people will have the opportunity to experience the Bible in its original form, read aloud to a gathering. The event is the idea of rector, Gordon Warren.

The Revd Gordon Warren, Rector, St Annes Limehouse, said:

“Two generations of people have rarely heard more than a few verses of the Bible, and then only at weddings or funerals. This event gives people a chance to gain a new understanding and appreciation of the Bible and we hope it will encourage people to pick up their own copies.”

Over 150 people will be taking a turn at reading a section of the Bible during the three days.

The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon, Richard Chartres said:

"I am glad to be there 'in the beginning' and to read the first chapters of Genesis as a contribution to proclaiming the bible in its entirety in Limehouse."

Following his reading from Genesis, the Bishop commented:

"I was astonished to discover the Exhibition of Bibles from mediaeval manuscripts to the most up to date version, with copies of the peaks of biblical scholarship like Erasmus's translation of the first edition of the authorised version. I do urge everyone who can to visit St Anne's while the Exhibition continues."