WALL paintings produced by refugees after the First World War have been discovered at St Wilfrid's RC Church, Longridge.
They came to light during preparation work for a £30,000 redecoration scheme after gradually disappearing from view when the church was painted in 1953, 1965 and 1985.
They take up two walls of the church and show the 12 apostles with two angels.
Father Paul Mitcheson said: "It was quite a surprise. Some of the older members of the church knew they were there. But I have been here 12 years and didn't know they existed.
"We understand they were done by Dutch refugees."
The priest in charge at that time was also Dutch. Father John Albert Wissink was at St Wilfrid's from 1894 to 1934.
Father Mitcheson hopes to have the paintings restored as part of the current scheme.
Redecoration will cost £30,000 and his immediate target is £18,000. More than £10,000 has already been pledged.
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