It was an unexpected call from a lawyer who called the pastoral chief for an estate discovery.

Once there, he learned that Viås Church, or Sjösås new church as it is actually called, has inherited one million - from an anonymous person.

- When we found out that it was a million, we were a little shocked but happy, says the priest Linda Berglund.

The parish interprets the gift as going to the church building itself - but to make a conversion for a million on a church from 1865 does not go in a jiffy.

And not everyone agrees on how to use them.

See more about the plans for the million legacy in the clip above.

Three million are looking for the needy

A couple of miles away is Tolg church - where the priest has a similar "problem".

A couple of years ago, the congregation inherited from a woman who lived in the area almost 100 years ago.

No one in the congregation knew of her existence before the inheritance came.

The money, close to three million, will go to needy families in the parish.

But finding recipients has not been entirely easy, and during the pandemic it has become even more difficult to reach those in need.

- I had never thought that three million would be a problem, says deacon Thorsten Tiedt.

See more in the clip below. 

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Söraby parish is looking for people who need help.

Three million is in the pot.

Photo: SVT