February 2025
Sarum College’s Heritage Bible on display.
Visitors to Sarum College now can admire both the Saint John’s Bible and its new display cabinet, handcrafted by the monks of Saint John’s Abbey based in the United States.
“We are delighted that the St John’s Bible is now on permanent display in the main hallway of the College,” says James Woodward, Sarum College Principal. “It is a physical reminder of our Christian roots, heritage, and work here across a number of areas of learning.”
Heritage Bible Lectern
The bible, the Heritage Bible Stand and two lecterns for use in classroom and exhibition settings were donated by Dan Whalen, former Interim President of Saint John’s University.
“Perhaps it is not a coincidence that I first met Dan at the foot of the staircase, where the bible is now displayed,” James says. “We reflected together on the importance of displaying the bible and storing it safely. The conversations continued and we are all extremely grateful to Dan for extending his support of the Saint John’s Bible project to Sarum College. We look forward to welcoming Dan back to the College to see the bible in that place.”
Uniting modern technology and ancient Benedictine tradition, the Saint John’s Bible is handwritten and illuminated, the first commissioned by a Benedictine monastery since the invention of the printing press in the 15th century. The College was gifted a Heritage edition of the bible in 2023 as part of a project to create and distribute the bible to inspire the imagination of modern seekers.
“The College has regularly displayed the seven volumes for courses, exhibitions, and for worship during the ministry residential weekends and will continue to do so,” says Jayne Downey, Sarum College Director of Learning Resources. “But given that each volume weighs nine kilos and is nearly a metre wide when open, it’s wonderful to be able to have one volume on permanent display in the new display cabinet.” The volumes are changed every week.
Created by Fr John Meoska, OSB and Rob Lillard, the cabinet is made from quarter-sawn Red Oak harvested from the Abbey Arboretum in Collegeville Minnesota. The inlays are made from Welsh oak from the Welsh farm of Donald Jackson, who produced the bible with a team of calligraphers to celebrate the unique partnership and deep collaboration between Minnesota and Wales.
The sweeping curves of the framework and the hexagonal knobs draw inspiration from the architecture of Saint John’s Abbey, particularly its renowned Bauhaus-style church, designed by Marcel Breuer in 1960.
Since the Abbey was founded in 1856, the woodshop has made furniture for the Abbey, University, Prep School, and Liturgical Press from wood harvested from its own forests.
“It is a true honor to share a piece of Collegeville, Minnesota, at Sarum College,” says Fr Lew Grobe, OSB. “Our hope is that this stand will serve not only as a physical connection to our heritage but also as a tribute to the Word that forms the cornerstone of our faith.”
The next exhibition of the Saint John’s Bible will be held from 22 to 26 April, 10am to 5pm each day in the Seaton Rooms. All volumes will be on display and visitors will be allowed to turn the pages and take photos.
The Saint John’s Bible also will feature in an autumn exhibition of bible illustrations through the centuries. Various bibles from the Sarum College Library collection, dating from 1605 to the present day, will be on display. The provisional dates for that are 8 to 13 September.
So enjoyable to see the Bible like this – beautiful, tactile and inspirational.
Quite overwhelming – and it’s so beautifully readable!
Fabulous, awe-inspiring work. What a privilege. Thank you!
More about Dan Whalen’s support for the Saint John’s Bible project
Groups may book to see individual volumes or the whole bible at other times.
For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact Jayne Downey, library@sarum.ac.uk
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