The Saint John’s Bible

The Saint John’s Bible is the first handwritten illuminated Bible in English in over 500 years. It took seven artists and seven calligraphers over a decade to complete all 1,150 pages of the Bible. The Artistic Director, Donald Jackson, was the Senior Scribe to the late Queen Elizabeth and presented the project to Saint John’s Abbey in 1995. Commissioned in 1998, it took nearly two years to lay out the artwork and assemble the team, before Mr. Jackson drew the first words, “In the beginning,” from John’s Gospel in 2000. In 2011, Mr. Jackson presented the final page of the project. There are over 160 major illuminations organized in the seven volumes: Pentateuch · Historical Books · Wisdom Books · Psalms · Prophets · Gospels & Acts · Letters & Revelation.

The Heritage Edition is the only full-scale, illuminated, fine art edition of the Bible in the world. Limited to 299 seven-volume sets, no two Heritage Editions are identical because many illuminations required hand treatments by Scriptorium’s studio manager, Sarah Harris. On September 29, 2023, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church dedicated Heritage Edition CXLI in memory of The Rev. Melissa Kean. St. Michael’s joins other prestigious institutions, schools, and churches around the world in providing a permanent home for a Heritage Edition. For a complete list of locations go to: heritage.saintjohnsbible.org/locations/

To learn more about The Saint John’s Bible CLICK HERE to watch a video.

To make a contribution to support The Saint John’s Bible, you can:

  1. Contribute Online: CLICK HERE to pay with a Credit Card and select “Illuminating Our Faith” in the Drop down “Fund”. 

  2. Donate with a Check: Place in the Sunday Offertory Plate or mail to the church office with Check Memo: "Illuminating Our Faith”.

  3. Stock Gifts or Questions: Contact Finance Manager, Jan McLaughlin at 719-598-3244 or email treasurer@stmikeschurch.com for additional information.

St. Michael’s & the Saint John’s Bible in the News

CLICK HERE to read a wonderful article about the work already being done at St. Michael’s with the Bible.

Scheduling a Visit

To schedule a visit to experience The Saint John’s Bible with a trained docent, CLICK HERE. We will respond to your request within 3 business days. We are also open to the public most weeks for unguided visits, Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Call ahead to confirm the building will be open.