A 14th-century church in Lancashire, England, was facing $1 million in repair costs when vicar Jane Lee discovered a bag left near the altar on Good Friday. Inside were nine gold coins, dated 1999, which later sold for nearly $40,000. "We just burst into tears when we saw it," Lee tells the BBC of the mystery donation, now believed to be part of a quiet gold trail left through rural parishes. As the Telegraph reports, at least eight churches across north Lancashire and into Cumbria have reported anonymous deliveries of gold and silver coins—tucked into donation boxes, pushed under doors, or handed over in person—worth more than $94,000 in total.
Only one donation, the one at Lee's church, came with any form of identifier. The bag—identical to others found at local churches—contained a note, dated July 16, 2022, and signed, "James, a servant of the Living God." No one has been able to trace "James," and most recipients say they'd rather not. As one vicar put it, it's "perfectly faithful to give without looking for thanks." The Royal Mint Britannia coins and other bullion have arrived as many small congregations face major upkeep costs and shrinking attendance. Several churches say the windfalls have kept restoration projects alive, including medieval stained glass and leaking roofs. Lee calls the nine-coin donation "a miracle because it's so desperately needed," allowing the church to apply for grants and fundraising campaigns.
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