William Tyndale's English New Testament Marks 500 Years as Churches Celebrate Bible Translation Legacy

Christians worldwide are marking the 500th anniversary of William Tyndale's English New Testament in October 2026, with cathedrals and Christian organizations hosting events to highlight the lasting impact of his work.

Tyndale completed his translation of the New Testament in 1526, making Scripture accessible to ordinary English readers for the first time. His work shaped the English language and laid the groundwork for later translations, including the King James Bible.

Events in the United Kingdom and the United States are drawing attention to Tyndale's legacy this month. Several cathedrals are hosting exhibitions and lectures. Christian publishers and ministries have released new resources examining how his translation changed the church and the culture.

The anniversary arrives as Christianity Today marks its own 70th year. The ministry, founded by Billy Graham in 1956, named Erik Petrik as its new editor in chief earlier this year and released a special September/October anniversary issue examining the past, present, and future of evangelical journalism.

October 4 also marked the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, adding to a month of historical commemorations for the global church.

Christian Today, which covers international church news, noted that the Tyndale anniversary has prompted renewed discussion about the role of Bible translation in global missions, particularly in regions where Scripture is still unavailable in local languages.