Belgium Builder, Renovating A Church, Finds 80-year-old Note For Future Generations

A builder found an old note in a matchbox while working at St. James’ Church in Belgium. The note had been hidden for over 80 years inside an ornament hanging from the ceiling.

When the builder opened the matchbox, he found a note describing the tough working conditions they endured in 1941 at St. James’ Church. It also included advice for future generations. The note was signed by four men who had worked on the same ceiling back then. They mentioned living through two wars and struggling with hunger while being paid very little.

The incredible find was shared by the City of Antwerp’s official Instagram account back in 2022, with the caption: “Unbelievable. This workman found a note from 1941 in St. James’ Church with a catchy message.” The message written on the back of a work coupon translates, “When this ceiling will have to be painted again we will no longer be on this Earth.”

“We have to tell the following generations that we didn’t have a happy life. We’ve lived through two wars. One in 1914 and one in 1940, that counts for something eh? We’re working here nearly starving from hunger, they extort us for mere cents for almost no food at all,” it further read.

The note also advised future generations to stock up on essential items like food and to enjoy life fully. It suggested considering having multiple spouses if needed. The discovery sparked a lot of interest on social media, with many hoping to find the families of the four men to share the note with them. People commented on how the note puts modern complaints into perspective and found the story touching and meaningful. Some even joked about the timeless nature of the advice given.

One user commented, “Puts things into perspective when everyone was complaining about 2020.” A second user wrote, “What a beautiful story!” Another joked, “So hoard food and find a mate. Different circumstances, the same advice.”

In another incident, a man found a locked box in his attic while renovating his home in Wales. He shared the discovery on his TikTok account, @geebeetv, where it gained massive attention with millions of views, likes, and comments. Viewers were intrigued by the carved warning, the pentagram, and the fact that he accidentally broke a mirror while uncovering the box, with many advising him not to open it.