

Piece by Piece It's Coming Together
The 'Wittenberg Door Puzzle' is taking shape! Peter has managed to cut out all of the interlocking tiles, smoothed them so that they move around the board – and now some paint is going on to represent Luther's face. The final addition will be Luther's introductory line to his 95 Theses: "Out of love for the truth and the desire to make it plain ... ."


Meet The Mahogany Brothers
Dr Paisley is remembered for his jocular references to "Mr and Mrs Wood and Timothy Timber." Our freshly stained reel drums could very easily masquerade as the Wood couple; however, I'm not convinced that the Press should be called "Timothy." It's much more of a Johann, or a Gutenberg – after its famous designer. Once we get a rubber stamp fitted, our version of the Gutenberg Press will be operational. Populating the bottom tiers of the reels is going to be a more difficult p


A Scramble for the Missing Pieces
One piece is missing from our 'slider puzzle.' This, of course, is by intention – otherwise this item wouldn't work. It has been a painstaking job to prepare these tiles in tongue and groove fashion so that they will replicate the old hand-held puzzles that featured sliding tiles. It is our intention to mount this on the Wittenberg door, though a few logistical issues may still need to be conquered. For example, the type of paint we use, the angle at which the puzzle is tilte


Some Monkery
Wanted! Two budding monks to 'test drive' part of our (limited) wardrobe in the Reformation Room. Thanks to the efforts of Majorie Stitt, a couple of rustic robes for Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon are now ready for 'Opening Day.' Naturally, we're not encouraging you to devote yourself to a life of monasticism ... ! MARTIN AND MONKERY On 2 July 1505, a young Luther was travelling from his home in Mansfeld back to the University at Erfurt. During this journey, he was ca

Luther's Rose
This was the seal that was designed for Martin Luther at the behest of John Frederick of Saxony in 1530, while Luther was staying at the Coburg Fortress during the Diet of Auguburg. Lazarus Spengler sent Luther a drawing of this seal. Luther saw it as a compendium or expression of his theology and faith, which he used to authorise his correspondence. Luther informed Philipp Melanchthon on September 15, 1530, that the Prince had personally visited him in the Coburg fortress an


Major Leap Forward for the Fly Press
As well you know if you've ever handled one of these items, the Fly Press didn't leap anywhere ... . It was gently eased into the lift at Martyrs and brought out onto the landing on the first floor of the Jubilee Complex. It is now almost functional – all that needs to be added is a rubber stamp bearing a key message and – hey presto! – this solid girl will be doing some smooth business!


Time To Raise The Roofs
With little more than a week to go to 'Opening Night,' the activity on our Reformation project – which has been intensive for months now – stepped up a further gear this morning. • Further work was done on the 'Gutenberg Press,' with the attachment of a rotary arm and the application of some paint; • Contact was made with some people who have promised to loan relevant materials for the Exhibition; • Photo frames were purchased for the purpose of displaying relevant postcards


Are You Passing On The Torch?
Three of the many key Reformation figures whose busts are on display in the Martyrs Memorial Free Presbyterian Church, Belfast, are: • John Wycliffe – 1300s (England) • John Hus – 1400s (Bohemia / Czech Republic) • Martin Luther – 1500s (Germany) These three men spearheaded the rediscovery of Gospel Truth in Europe — Grace Alone! Faith Alone! Scripture Alone! — and each paved the way for the next. The connection between them is illustrated by a set of medallions on display


The Message on the Magnetic Board
This 'alphabet magnetic board' will be used to spell out the famous text that was used of God to the opening of Martin Luther's spiritual eyes: "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17). The children will be divided into groups and each group will be timed as they search among the scrambled letters in search of this key Gospel sentence.