Rare Fine Art Reproduction of St. John’s Bible to Be Featured at Old Lyme Forum, Sunday

One Original St. John’s Bible, Only 299 Authorized Reproductions

OLD LYME, CT – A fine art reproduction of the first handwritten illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in 500 years is coming to Old Lyme this Sunday. 

The Heritage Edition of the St. John’s Bible will be the subject of the 9:30 a.m. Griswold Forum presentation at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church.

The talk will focus on the rare reproduction of the St. John’s Bible, which organizers said is being shared with the church by St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex. 

Maggie Walden and Allison Fresher, members of the Essex church, will lead the presentation. 

The St. John’s Bible took 23 artists and calligraphers more than a decade to finish in 2011. The Heritage Edition reproduction consists of 1,150 pages in seven 2-feet-by-3-feet volumes. The original Bible is on display at the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library on the Saint John’s University campus in Collegeville, MN. 

St. John’s Episcopal Church received the Heritage Edition of the Bible as an anonymous gift. There are only 299 sets of the Heritage Edition worldwide.

“Illumination” refers to the illustrations, colors and designs that complement the words in the Bible, according to the St. John’s University website dedicated to the St. John’s Bible. 

The Essex church on its website described the St. John’s Bible as an incredible gift. 

“The Bible is best when studied in community and the sheer size of The Saint John’s Bible requires that,” the church said. “The study of scripture when practiced alongside faithful worship transforms individuals and community in profound ways.” 

All are welcome to Sunday morning’s Griswold Forum talk at St. Ann’s, 82 Shore Road. Coffee will be available.