The Biblewalk Museum in Mansfield, Ohio

Did you ever wonder what it would have been like to have seen Daniel in the lion’s den, met Job and seen the boils covering him, and watch the Red Sea part as Moses stood before it? Would you have liked to have seen Noah’s Ark, have watched the miracles Jesus performed, watched his crucifixion, and seen his resurrection? You can see all those things and more from the Bible-not the actual events of course but as good a replica as man can make-at the Biblewalk, Ohio’s only life size wax museum at 500 Tingley Avenue, Mansfield. At the museum you can see more than 70 scenes, more than 300 figures, and listen to original music and narration.

The idea for the Biblewalk Wax Museum began with Pastor Richard Diamond and his wife, Alwilda. They toured a wax museum in Georgia and viewed scenes of past generals and presidents. To their surprise, the last scene they viewed was of the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven after his resurrection. They both were brought to tears and went to their knees in prayer. Pastor Diamond believed God wanted him to one day build a museum to glorify Him.

At that time Pastor Diamond was the pastor of a small church called Faith Revivals, but known throughout the city as the “hippie church.”

After 10 years of huge growth, in May 1980, the church moved to its current location on Tingley Avenue, where the Living Bible Museum (now called Biblewalk) would be built adjacent to the church building. A member of the church heard of an outdoor Biblewalk in Pennsylvania. Pastor Diamond went to view figures related to the Biblewalk and purchased 22 figures. By the end of 1983 three scenes were on display at the church, now called the Diamond Hill Cathedral: The Last Supper; Jesus and the Children; and the Woman at the Well.

Various cities were considered for the museum, before it was decided the Living Bible Museum would be built on church property. It was built in a garden right next to the church and opened August 15, 1987. Church members did the building necessary for the project.

In addition to the sections of the museum already mentioned, which include miracles of the Old Testament and the Life of Christ, there are a variety of other sections in the Biblewalk Museum.

One section contains wax figures which represent Christian martyrs. The section also contains the verses Hebrews 11:33-38, which mention those who were tortured, stoned, sawn into, killed with the sword, and suffered many other things for their faith. The wax figures shows those who have suffered for their faith throughout the ages to today.

Another section honors those who during the Reformation gave their lives to bring the Bible to all men in their own language.

Besides the wax figures, there are a variety of other things to enjoy at the Biblewalk Museum.

There is a section of American Votive Folk Art. That is the type of art that became popular around 1910 among newly arrived immigrants. Parish members contributed jewelry, hat pins, beadwork, cuff links, collar studs, and coins to create Biblical scenes, as a tribute to God for bringing them to America. The collection at the Biblewalk Wax Museum was originally housed at the Gem Vespers Museum in Barton, New York, until the death of the owner, James Scanlon in the late 1940’s.

There is also a collection of wood carvings of Biblical scenes by John Burns that took 16 years to complete. Thousands of hours were spent on each scene.

Visitors can also see a collection of rare Bibles, some dating back to the 1500’s.

Those going to the Biblewalk Museum can also see paintings of Biblical scenes made by Rhee Kwang Kyuk of Korea. He had prayed to God that is life would not be like a disappearing cloud, but that he would leave something for future generations.

In David’s Kitchen, visitors can receive food, listen to Christian music, watch live Gospel portrayals, and be served by costumed servers. The food has such names as Goliath Dog, Samson Burger, Jonah’s Tuna Sandwich, Manna Chips, and Scripture Cookies.

Another feature of the Biblewalk Museum is the dinner theater on Saturdays from June 4 to August 27. Prices vary depending upon whether a person will tour one, two, three, or four museums, from $19 to $27 per adult. The menu includes tossed salad, Swiss steak or three pieces of chicken, hot rolls with butter, and apple pie or chocolate cake.

Rates for a tour of the museum vary, depending upon whether a person will see all or only some of the various museums at Biblewalk. All four full length tours are $15.50 per adult, $14.50 for seniors older than 55, $11.50 for students 6-18, and $55 for a family, with children younger than 5 free. There are varying rates, depending upon the age of the participants for a tour of an individual museum, with a tour of the Life of Christ Museum being $4.50 for an adult and $20 for a family, and a tour of the Miracles of the Old Testament costing the same. There are other rates for tours of the other museums. Hours are Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

If you are anywhere near Mansfield, Ohio, you will not forget a tour of the Biblewalk Museum.