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Fall, 1808 - Mr. Robert Ralston and four eminent Philadelphians meet to plan the first Bible Society in America.
December 12, 1808 - Date of the first formal meeting of the Society. The first president was Bishop William White. First Vice President was Dr. Benjamin Rush, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
1812 - The Bible Society, now know as the Bible Society of Philadelphia to distinguish it from other like groups in Connecticut, Massachusetts and elsewhere; publishes the first Bible printed in the U.S. from Stereotype plates, a less expensive printing process. Ultimately 17, 375 Bibles and New Testaments will be produced from these plates. Click here to view pictures of this 1812 Bible.
1816 - Robert Ralston, treasurer of the Bible Society of Philadlephia, becomes a member of the Board of Managers of the American Bible Society formed in this year. Mr. Ralston would further serve the American Bible Society as Vice President from 1828-1836.
1840 - The Bible Society of Philadelphia becomes the Pennsylvania Bible Society.
1853 - The Pennsylvania Bible Society acquires Bible House at 701 Walnut Street, Philadelphia from Hannah Sansom. The Bible House continues to be a distribution center for scriptures to this day. Prior to acquiring this property, the Society met in a schoolhouse in White's Alley.
1908 - The Pennsylvania Bible Society praises God on the 100th Anniversary of its founding.
1958 - Marked 150 years that the Pennsylvania Bible Society has been in the service of the Bible cause.
1982 - The Pennsylvania Bible Society in cooperation with other religious bodies prepares a commemorative booklet to honor the Tercentenary of William Penn's arrival in Philadelphia. The popular "Light for All People" scripture is distributed throughout Pennsylvania, one million copies in all, within a one year period, free to all.
1983 - The Pennsylvania Bible Society marks its 175th anniversary year and praises the Lord for all His mercies, particularly in allowing the Society to serve Him in the distribution of Holy Scripture.
1987 - The Pennsylvania Bible Society hosts an exhibit entitled "The Bible and the Delegates," celebrating the bicentennial of the Constitution of the United States. On exhibit were many bibles or facsimilies thereof owned by the founding fathers.
1995 - Separated from ABS to better serve the Scripture needs in the state and surrounding communities.
2006 - Dedicated the year 2007 for actively reading the Bible in preparation for the Bicentennial celebration in 2008.
2008 - The Bible Society celebrates 200 years of Scripture distribution!