One of the first Chinese tourists to visit Barnsley to pay respect to missionary Hudson Taylor believes the town could one day become a tourism hotspot to rival Bethlehem.
Mary Lui, 58, is enjoying a three-week holiday in the town and has enjoyed it so much she plans to move here permanently in July.
The retired maths lecturer has sold her house in Beijing to fund the trip and has attended several of the town’s churches on her pilgrimage.
She told the Chronicle: “Jesus was born in a small place named Bethlehem but now people from all around the world visit there. I believe the same will happen for Barnsley.
“Hudson Taylor is a hero in my nation. He came to China, learned our language and embraced our culture. There are now 70 million Christians in China and many of them will want to come and see his birthplace.
“It’s the 150th anniversary of the launch of his mission organisation in 2014 and I expect thousands of people to visit Barnsley then.”
Mary Lui, whose husband died 24 years ago, said she is moving to Barnsley as ‘pay back’ for what Taylor did for China. His organisation is recognised as one of the most prominent in Chinese Christian history.
“The people of Barnsley are wonderful but I see a lot of hurt and loneliness here. Hudson Taylor gave his all for China and now I think it’s pay back time.
“I will come here to pray for the town and to work with the churches. I have also joined Street Pastors and spent a night patrolling the streets with them.”
Owen Gleadall, president of the Rotherham and Barnsley Chamber of Commerce said he had always believed Barnsley could be a tourism hotspot.
He said about 200 Chinese people had visited Barnsley in the last year, but said there should be more for them to see.
John Foster, chairman of the Hudson Taylor group, said there were a number of religious places, such as York, Mow Cop in Staffordshire or Epworth where John Wesley was born, that have a steady stream of visitors.
"I'm not saying we're going to be like Jerusalem," he said, "but every little helps."
