Heritage Edition of the Saint John’s Bible for St Martin-in-the-Fields

12/06/09

The St John’s Bible is the first handwritten illuminated Bible commissioned since the advent of the printing press and will be on display at St Martin-in-the-Fields from this weekend.

The Bible was described by Smithsonian Magazine as 'one of the most extraordinary undertakings of our time'. It was commissioned in 1998 by the Roman Catholic Benedictine monks of St John’s Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota and is being created under the direction of Donald Jackson in Monmouthshire.

From 14 June 2009, two volumes of the Heritage Edition of this beautiful work of art will be on permanent display at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square.

The Heritage Edition is a full-size fine art reproduction limited to 360 copies. The first two volumes - Psalms and Prophets - will be presented on Sunday 14 June 2009 at a special service at St Martin’s at 6.30pm. This will be the first Heritage Edition in the United Kingdom.

These initial two volumes will be on permanent display in church and in the new foyer. The remaining five volumes will be on display from 2010. This gift has been made possible thanks to the generosity of Dan and Katharine Whalen.

In addition to Psalms and Prophets, 25 prints from the St John’s Bible will be on display in the new St Martin’s Hall from 14 June to 13 September. These prints, along with a range of books and other items will be available to purchase.

The Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Revd Nicholas Holtam, is thrilled to be receiving this gift. He said:

"The St John’s Bible is a work of great art, engaging the reader’s senses with the sacred text. It also raises a discussion about the meaning, nature and authority of the text. It will bring a new focus on the Holy Scriptures in the recently renewed church."