52°54′01″N 3°36′54″W / 52.900237°N 3.614934°W / 52.900237; -3.614934
Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre (Mary Jones World)(Welsh: Byd Mary Jones) is a small heritage centre located in Llanycil near Bala, Gwynedd, Wales. Situated on the north shore of Bala Lake, it provides information on Mary Jones, a fifteen-year-old girl from Llanfihangel-y-Pennant. After she had saved her money for six years, in 1800 Jones walked 26 miles to buy a copy of a Welsh-language Bible, which she thought would be available in Bala, only to find that they were sold out. The Reverend Thomas Charles was reputed to have given her his own spare copy. (Other versions of the story have Mary waiting for two days for Bibles to arrive, and Charles giving her three copies to take back to her village.)
The heritage centre is an initiative of the British and Foreign Bible Society and was opened on 5 October 2014 at a cost of £1.3 million in the former village church which was dedicated to Saint Beuno.
Pilgrim Café The café offers a selection of hot drinks, tasty homemade cakes and light lunches from local suppliers. The café is open to everyone – you can enjoy it without visiting the centre. Group bookings are available on request.
As well as information about Mary the centre tells about the growth of the Bible Society, and Thomas Charles who sold Mary her bible is buried in the church yard of St Beuno. School group visits are encouraged and there is a children's play area next to the centre.
The Centre reopened in March 2024 after a period of refurbishment under the new name of Canolfan Pererin Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre. For all latest news and special events visit their social media pages, where regular updates are posted.
Opening hours (peak season) 23 March to 29 September 2024 Wednesday to Sunday 10.00 am–4.00 pm Plus Bank Holiday Mondays
Admission There is no admission fee to the centre, but donations are welcomed. There is a small charge for school groups. Contact the centre for more information.
References
- The centre on visitbala.org
- R. S. Sugirtharajah; Sugirtharajah, Rasiah S Sugirtharajah (11 June 2001). The Bible and the Third World: Precolonial, Colonial and Postcolonial Encounters. Cambridge University Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-521-00524-1.
- Article on the Bible Society website
- "Bala centre celebrates Mary Jones' Bible walk". BBC News Online. 5 October 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
- The centre on visitmidwales.co.uk