Skip to main content

Soulton Hall recently donated a facimile of the 1560 Geneva Bible to the town of Wem, aiming to promote appreciation for the region’s history and the enduring influence of the written word.

Portrait of Sir Rowland Hill, publisher of the Geneva Bibel, in the Hall Mercers' Company

Portrait of Sir Rowland Hill, publisher of the Geneva Bibel, in the Hall Mercers’ Company

The Geneva Bible, published by Sir Rowland Hill in 1560, was a groundbreaking English translation of scripture. Its accessible language made the Bible more widely understood, fostering literacy and personal interpretation of religious texts. Work on this project was headquatered in England at Soulton Hall near Wem.

Frontispiece of the 1560 Geneva Bible - we can see a block print of the parting of the red sea

Geneva Bible 1560 edition

The Geneva Bible sparked discussions and a renewed interest in religious texts. This donation from Soulton Hall serves as a tangible reminder of that turning point is connected to Wem.

Soulton Hall takes pride in preserving this piece of history and sharing it with Wem. The hope is that the Geneva Bible will continue to be a source of learning and inspiration for the community.