A 14th-century church near Lancaster has been given a lifeline after church officials discovered a hidden hoard of gold coins worth nearly £30,000 (USD 40,000) beneath its altar.
St. Wilfrid’s Church in Melling had been at risk of closing because its small congregation could not raise the £750,000 (USD 1,000,000) needed for urgent repairs. The historic building requires extensive restoration, including a new roof.
The unexpected discovery came as the Rev. Jane Lee and a lay minister prepared for morning prayers. While inside the church, they found a plastic bag containing a small box hidden beneath the altar. Inside were nine gold Britannia coins valued at almost £30,000.
Discovery sparks emotional reaction
Lee said the discovery left both women overwhelmed. “We just burst into tears when we saw it,” she told BBC North West Tonight. “We couldn’t believe it. It was like a miracle because it’s so desperately needed for the church.”
She said the congregation had been preparing for the possibility of closing the church because the repair costs had become too great to manage.
A gift from an unknown donor
Lee described the discovery as the answer to their prayers. She said the money would provide an important starting point for the church’s fundraising campaign. The funds will help strengthen applications for grants and encourage further donations needed to complete the restoration.
For a church on the brink of closure, this must have felt like a miracle!
St Wilfrid's Church in Melling, Lancashire, was facing closure after its congregation was unable to raise the £750,000 needed for urgent repairs. Then, while preparing for morning prayers, the vicar made… pic.twitter.com/sDl5ZOLUjp
— SaveOurChurchesUK (@SaveukChurches) July 7, 2026
She believes an anonymous donor may have hidden the coins beneath the altar about four years ago. According to Lee, several churches in the area received similar anonymous gifts in 2022. However, St. Wilfrid’s Church did not uncover its donation until Good Friday on April 3.
Restoring a centuries-old landmark
Lee said the timing of the discovery was especially significant. The church now enjoys stronger support from the local community than it did four years ago. Because of that backing, the money can now be used to help restore the historic building rather than cover everyday operating costs.
“Well now it’s there for a seed to get all the repairs done that need to be done,” Lee said. She called the discovery “wonderful news” for the church and the wider community.
Although the gold coins cover only a small share of the repair costs, church leaders believe the donation has transformed the outlook for the 700-year-old building. They hope the unexpected gift will encourage more supporters to contribute and help preserve one of the area’s oldest places of worship for future generations.
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