Upstate N.Y. man finishes writing entire Bible by hand during ceremony after years of work

5/11/2013
Phillip Patterson transcribes the King James Bible at this home on April 30 in Philmont, N.Y. Four years after starting with Genesis, Patterson, finished up the final lines of the Book of Revelation during a ceremony today at his church, St. Peter's Presbyterian in Spencertown, N.Y.
Phillip Patterson transcribes the King James Bible at this home on April 30 in Philmont, N.Y. Four years after starting with Genesis, Patterson, finished up the final lines of the Book of Revelation during a ceremony today at his church, St. Peter's Presbyterian in Spencertown, N.Y.

SPENCERTOWN, N.Y. — A 63-year-old upstate New York man who has spent years writing out every word in the Bible has penning the very last lines.

Phillip Patterson of Philmont began copying the complete King James Bible in his neat, looping handwriting in 2009. He spent two years copying the first five books of the Bible as a prototype before starting fresh.

Patterson completed the final lines of the Book of Revelation today during a ceremony at St. Peter's Presbyterian Church in Spencertown, near the Massachusetts border.

Patterson says he started the project to learn about the Bible, not as a spiritual quest. But he says the project has helped him become more patient, confident and loving.

The project was slowed by his health problems, including AIDS and anemia.