A 14th-century church in the village of Melling, Lancashire, has been unexpectedly aided by a hidden collection of gold coins discovered beneath its altar, offering a glimmer of hope amid efforts to keep the historic building open.

St Wilfrid’s Church, which has served its small congregation for approximately 700 years, was facing closure due to extensive repair costs estimated at £750,000. With just five regular attendees and insufficient funds to cover necessary work on the roof, windows, and other parts of the structure, the congregation had anticipated that Good Friday’s service would be the church’s final Easter observance.

The discovery came as the vicar, the Rev Jane Lee, and a parishioner were preparing the altar. Underneath the wedding kneeler, they found a plastic bag containing a box with nine gold coins and a note dated July 16, 2022. The note expressed anonymous gratitude and generosity, reading: “Hi there, I’d like to donate these nine gold Britannias to Melling church.” Signed simply as “James, servant of the living God,” the note also included details of a bullion dealer. The coins, minted by the Royal Mint in 1999, have a face value of £100 each but fetched nearly £30,000 when sold.

The vicar described the find as “flabbergasting” and comparably miraculous, noting that no one had previously inspected that area beneath the altar during routine cleaning. The gold coins alone will not cover the substantial repair expenses but have provided both financial support and renewed encouragement to the community.

Similar donations have reportedly appeared in other churches across the northern part of the Blackburn diocese. Officials indicate that three churches and a school have received comparable coin gifts, but the identity of the benefactor remains unknown despite efforts to trace the donor. Lee and local parishioners have no record of any individual named James associated with St Wilfrid’s.

St Wilfrid’s is a Grade I listed building, notable for its Edward Dent clock, the maker known for the Houses of Parliament clock, and as the burial site of Ann Fenwick, a prominent 18th-century campaigner for Catholic emancipation in Britain. Since Rev Lee’s arrival four and a half years ago, estimated repair costs have escalated from £100,000 for the roof alone to the current £750,000 total.

Financial constraints have been a growing concern. The church has struggled to meet its £7,000 parish share payment to the local diocese, requiring special permission to withhold payment and adjustments made by other churches in the parish to cover the shortfall. The small but committed congregation has reached its limits, with members expressing concern over ongoing expenses such as insurance premiums.

A public consultation last year showed limited external support for funding the repairs, raising fears that the church would soon fall into dereliction. Despite the beginning of formal closure proceedings, Rev Lee has expressed openness to reversing the decision should further support emerge.

In response to the coin donation, local community members have established a heritage group aimed at rallying broader assistance. The Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Rev Philip North, described the gift as “a sign of hope” and an affirmation of the church’s importance, stating it “has doubled our determination to restore it for the benefit of the whole community.”