Special Events

The Saint John's Bible

One of the most extraordinary undertakings of our time" - The Smithsonian Magazine

The first two volumes of  The Saint John's Bible - Psalms and Prophets - are on permanent display at St Martin's, with subsequent volumes to follow.  The first handwritten, illuminated Bible commissioned since the advent of the printing press more than 500 years ago, The Saint John's Bible was commissioned in 1998 by the Roman Catholic Benedictine monks of Saint John's Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota.  It is  being created by a team of scribes, artists and craftspeople in a Scriptorium in Wales under the artistic direction of Donald Jackson, one of the world's foremost calligraphers and the Scribe to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's Crown Office at the House of Lords.  The Saint John's Bible revives an age-old calligraphic art form using calfskin vellum, goose quills, natural inks, hand-ground pigments and gold-leaf gilding.  And yet, it is a modern creation complete with a contemporary translation, script, themes and illustrations.

The Heritage Edition is the fine art reproduction of The Saint John's Bible.  Like the original masterpiece, it is being created in seven distinct volumes, and it is limited to 299 sets that are exquisitely bound and handcrafted.  The Heritage Edition gives people around the world an opportunity to experience how The Saint John's Bible captivates the senses and inspires unique personal reflection as it imparts the word of God.

The Saint John's Bible Exhibition/14 June-13 September 

An exhibition of 25 prints from The Saint John's Bible will be on display in the St Martin's Hall from 14 June-13 September.  The prints and other items inspired by this work of art are available to purchase from the Shop at St Martin's.

Exhibition in St Martin’s Gallery: Still Human Still Here - the underground world of destitute asylum seekers (19 June- 31 July)