Workmen treating timber in a Rayleigh church were amazed to find a 17th century shoe tucked into the rafters.
The find, in Holy Trinity Church, is thought to be the historical equivalent to a "Fred was here" message from craftsmen of old.
The tiny shoe was found tucked high up in the rafters of the Hockley Road church and experts who have since examined it consider it to be at least 350 years old.
The Rev David Parrott said: "We had no idea it was there but the understanding is that shoes have traditionally been put into secret places as a good luck symbol.
"It will, in due course, be put back to where it was found. It is too precious to put on show all the time but people can see it if they ask."
Treasure - the Rev David Parrott takes a closer look at the shoe
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