700-year-old church finds £30,000 in gold coins hidden beneath altar
An ancient church stumbled upon a surprising treasure of gold coins hidden under the altar, providing a much-needed financial lift for pressing renovations. This remarkable find, valued at almost £30,000, has ignited a surge of community enthusiasm to safeguard the historic site, granting the church a revitalized opportunity to prevent its closure.
St Wilfrid's Church, a 700-year-old historic church in Melling, Lancashire, found £30,000 in gold coins hidden beneath its altar, providing a lifeline to avoid closure. The church, with a tiny congregation of only five people, struggled to raise the estimated £750,000 needed for major repairs, including work on the roof and structure.
Reverend Jane Lee and a lay minister were preparing for the possible final Easter services when they discovered the coins inside a plastic bag and a box, with a handwritten note from an anonymous donor. The coins, minted in 1999, were sold for almost £30,000. The discovery came at a crucial moment, offering the church a starting point for larger fundraising efforts and grant applications.
Though the £30,000 windfall is far from covering the estimated £750,000 repair bill, it has drawn attention to the church and encouraged the community to preserve its historic features, including a clock associated with Edward Dent, who also designed the clock at Big Ben.
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