Celebrating 400 years of the King James version of the Bible

Of the many English translations of the Bible that have been produced, none has been as enduring and influential as the King James Version, published in 1611, which has sold several billion copies.

In recognition of this significant ecclesiastical milestone, the congregation of First Garvagh Presbyterian Church have decided to run an exhibition of historic Bibles.

This will be one the largest and finest collections of Bibles put on display in the province and one of only a few celebrations of this Bible anniversary in Ireland.

The exhibition has been drawn together through the efforts of its curator Wilbert Patterson, the renowned Garvagh historian. Mr Patterson has even commissioned a special portrait of King James I to be painted for the event.

The exhibition will open on Saturday, September 24 and Monday, September 26 from 10.00am - 5.00pm and Sunday, September 25 from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

During the event the recently produced film KJB ‘The Book that Changed the World’ film will be screened. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available while the exhibition is open.

Some of the other highlights of the Bible celebration include an evening of Sacred Music and the Story of the King James Bible with the Route Singers on the Saturday evening at 7.30pm.

Sunday morning worship at 11.30am will be conducted by Mr John Doherty Directory of the N.I. Bible Society and the evening service at 7.00pm will take the form of a lecture by Rev. Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick, Professor of Church History at Union Theological College. The exhibition will also be open for viewing following each of these services.

This is not only a celebration of the past, but one that will make a difference in the future. Donations received throughout the event will go towards supporting the Bible Societies ‘Bibles for China’ project.