New York Man Finishes Bible Transcription by Hand After Four Years

By Hannah Lee
Bible2.jpg
Patterson completed the final lines of the Book of Revelation on Saturday evening, May 11, 2013 during a ceremony at St. Peter's Presbyterian Church in Spencertown, near the Massachusetts border.(AP Photo/Mike Groll, File) (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

Phillip Patterson, 63, finished writing the entire King James Bible by hand on Saturday, it takes him four years to complete the project.

Patterson completed the final two verses before a congregation of 125 people at St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church in Spencertown on May 11. He ended the ceremony by saying "Amen."

"Every single curly-q, every single loop, it was all worth it," said Patterson, moments after inking the final two verses of the King James Bible. "I'm really going to miss this writing."

Patterson began copying the complete King James Bible in his neat, looping handwriting in 2009. He said he started the project to learn about the Bible, not as a spiritual quest. But in the end, the project has helped him become more patient, confident and loving.

Over the years, his work was interrupted by illnesses and hospital visits, including AIDS and anemia.

Patterson will bind the pages and work on the covers of the volumes. Then, he'll donate to St. Peter's for people to read and enjoy.

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