The Knitted Bible, a collection of 36 handcrafted tableaux depicting scenes from both the Old and New Testaments, is on display daily from noon until 4pm until 3 August.
A unique exhibition has arrived at St Nicolas’ Church in Sturry, offering visitors a vibrant, knitted journey through some of the Bible’s best-known stories.
Originally created in 2008 by the congregation of St George’s United Reformed Church in Hartlepool, Teesside, starting as a single scene depicting The Last Supper, this project grew into a full-scale exhibition, involving members from St George’s congregation and friends from other churches who knitted, sewed, built scenery and props, bringing Biblical stories to life.
The exhibition features knitted figures representing stories from Noah’s Ark, The Story of the Good Samaritan to The Resurrection and much more.
The idea to bring the exhibition to Kent originated in the community of Fordwich, as Churchwarden Martin Pilgrim explained: “Fordwich is in our benefice and has a small church now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. They realised the exhibition was too large for their building and asked if Sturry, with a much larger church, could show it. We welcomed the opportunity to have it here in Sturry.”
This exhibition has brought visitors from near and far together, including those already attending St Nicholas with new faces from other parishes too. A visitor from Texas, USA remarked that the display was “fabulous”, and members from Broadstairs Methodist Church remarked that it was, “Well worth the visit,” especially enjoying the representation of Noah’s Ark.
The recent coverage of the event from BBC Radio Kent encouraged more visitors from Staplehurst Free Church, praising the fine details of the displays as “inspirational”.
Local MP Sir Roger Gale, whose constituency includes Sturry, described it as “an amazing experience. Don’t miss it!”
After its run in Sturry, the Knitted Bible will continue to travel, next heading to Sheffield, sharing its unique blend of faith, art, and community storytelling across the country, one stitch at a time.