New York Bible Society
historic place
The New York Bible Society, a historic organization in Manhattan, was founded on December 4, 1809. Its primary mission was to acquire and distribute Bibles and Testaments to meet the spiritual needs of the city. Early in its history, the society expanded its reach, funding a Bengali Bible translation in India by 1810. It also began providing Bibles to the U.S. military in 1812 and placing them in hotel rooms starting in 1836. By 1892, the society distributed scriptures in 65 languages to immigrants arriving at Ellis Island. In 1917, funds were provided for a new building. The society acquired a property at 5 East 48th Street on February 19, 1919. Architect Wilfred E. Anthony was commissioned to extensively alter the building, incorporating Gothic Revival elements. This new headquarters was dedicated on April 25, 1921. A bronze tablet inside recognized James Talcott's support for scripture distribution. The building served as the society's operational center until 1978, when it was sold. The New York Bible Society, later known as Biblica, has had a lasting impact, including its role in sponsoring the New International Version of the Bible. This site represents a significant chapter in the history of Bible distribution and religious outreach in New York City.