Cake by the lake: hear the story of Mary Jones

Bible Society’s award-winning visitor centre, Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre (formerly Byd Mary Jones World), has reopened after more than three years. This is your opportunity to find out how a young Welsh girl has changed millions of lives.

The determination of 15-year-old Mary Jones to have a Bible in her own language continues to inspire people, more than 200 years after it inspired the creation of Bible Society. People come to the centre, which first opened in 2014, from the other side of the world. Throughout the recent temporary closure they’ve been asking when they can come back. And since Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre reopened this month, people of all ages impacted by the story have been making the trip. 

You’ll find the centre at what was St Beuno’s Church, a grade 2 listed building in Llanycil. It’s right on the edge of Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales, and it’s got a beautiful picnic area. Just a mile away is Bala, where you can still see the house of Thomas Charles, the minister who provided Mary Jones’ Bible. There is a statue of him at a local church, Capel Tegid, and there’s lots more to learn about him at Mary Jones Pilgrim Centre.