Fenton Rare Bible Collection

The Fenton Library Collection is closed during Holiday Hours.

"We are honored to have the financial ability and desire to be tasked with the preservation of these reminders of the Christian heritage." Lance Fenton

About the Collection

The Lance Fenton Rare Bible Collection has been entrusted to the University Archives on permanent loan by Mr. Lance Fenton of Tyler, Texas. Mr. Fenton is a private collector who has acquired these rare Bibles, artifacts, and other antique books over the past several years. 

East Texas Baptist University is grateful to Mr. Fenton for the opportunity to aid in the preservation and exhibition of this remarkable collection.

The Story

Lance Fenton, among other generous anonymous donors, provided funding for the Fenton Honors Hall within the Jarrett Library on campus. Completed in August of 2018, the room features the Fenton Collection Exhibit and Yeshua, a sculpture of Jesus Christ by Max Greiner, Jr. of Kerrville, Texas.

In the spring of 1986, during a time of great difficulty, Greiner was called by God to begin making Christian art. The Fenton Collection’s “Yeshua, Jesus Christ, the Messiah” is the third in Greiner’s creation of Yeshua. Noted by Griener on the sculpture is the biblical inspiration and reference to his artwork, from Jesus’ words in Luke 4:18 and the prophecy of Christ in Isaiah 61:1.

“We are grateful for the contributions of our generous donors, who have committed to give of their resources. When people partner together to do God’s work, facilities such as this are possible,” ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. “The experiences that occur in this room are eternally significant. Students begin discerning and fulfilling the call that God has placed on their lives as they fellowship with their friends and spend time pouring over their studies and His Word.”

The Fenton Collection Exhibit showcases a collection of rare Bibles and special display pieces. Included in this collection is a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible (1455), a Tyndale New Testament (1566), Coverdale Bible (1535), Great Bible (1539), Geneva Bible (1608), Bishop’s Bible (1568), 1611 edition King James Bible, and 1762 revised King James Bible.
Printed in Latin, the Gutenberg Bible leaf is from Numbers 22. Published on the Gutenberg printing press circa 1455, the leaf is one of less than 50 copies of the Bible known to exist today.

The Bibles 

• A leaf from the Gutenberg Bible, 1455
• The Coverdale Bible, 1535
• The Matthews Bible, 1537
• The Great Bible, 1539
• The Geneva Bible, 1560
• Tyndale New Testament, 1566
• The Bishop's Bible, 1568
• Authorized King James Bible – The Great “He”, 1611
• Authorized King James Bible – The Great “She”, 1611
• First Cambridge Edition King James Bible, 1629
• King James Bible, 1762

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