The St John's Bible - a gift to St Davids Cathedral

The St John's Bible is the first hand-written, hand-illumed Bible to be produced for over 500 years. It's the work of a team led by the celebrated calligrapher, Monmouthsire-based Donald Jackson, commissioned by the St John's Abbey and University in Minnesota USA.

To honour the work undertaken by Donald Jackson and his wife Mabel, it was decided that a copy - part of a global Heritage programme - should be presented to a place of his choosing. He chose St Davids Cathedral. The Bible was formally presented to the Cathedral on Thursday September 12th in the presence of The Dean, the Bishop, the Jacksons and representatives from St John's Abbey, including Elaine and Bruce Culver, philanthropists and Episcopalians who funded the gift.

The Jacksons, the Culvers and representatives from St John's Abbey and University travelled to St Davids to formally present the Bible to the Dean of St Davids, Dr Sarah Llewellyn Jones, in the presence of Bishop Dorrien at a special service of Choral Evensong on Thursday September 12th

The Bible has taken 25 years to complete and runs to seven volumes. The purpose was always an evangelistic one. So it was decided that it should be shared globally. The St John's Bible Heritage Programme has produced 299 copies for distribution to churches and academic institutions around the world. It is one of these that has come to St Davids Cathedral.

Dean Sarah described the gist as a great honour. "We share the aim that this Bible should engage readers everywhere with the message of Scripture. Volumes will be displayed in the cathedral, where visitors can turn the pages themselves, and at the Cathedral Education Centre for use in retreats, educational visits and workshops. We also plan to make volumes available to churches, ministry areas and the other cathedrals in Wales to run their own projects."