THE first service in 500 years for pilgrims to Mair Morwyn y Môr was held in Pwllheli over the weekend.

Several people attended St Peter’s Church to see the new Shrine of Mair Morwyn y Môr/Our Lady of Pen Llyn.

Father Huw Bryant from the church said: “We held the first service in 500 years for pilgrims to Mair Morwyn y Môr on Saturday.

“I don’t think many people are aware that Pwllheli was an important pilgrimage site.

“Hywel Rheinallt writes in the 15th century of hundreds of people coming on Mary’s feast day and talks of Pwllheli as ‘this Holy Fortress is Mary’s ground’.”

The church now hopes to have many more services and welcome more pilgrims to the shrine in years to come.

St Peter’s is also raising funds to repair the building’s roof and create a proper safety net to continue and build upon their work with the foodbank.

To support the church and make a donation visit http://my.give.net/StPetersBuilding

Anyone who wishes to know more about the work the church is currently undertaking is asked to contact Father Bryant on [email protected]