poor box
Chapel collection container
A poor box is a container, typically found in churches, where people can deposit money for charitable purposes—specifically to help the poor of the parish.
These locked boxes were traditionally mounted near the entrance or by the altar, allowing worshippers to give alms anonymously.
The practice dates back centuries and continues in some churches today, though many have transitioned to other forms of charitable collection.
Local church community
- churchPlace of Christian worship
- chapelSmall worship room
- cathedralBishop's principal church
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
clergy · priest · almsgiving · tithe · offering · collection · mass · liturgy
Gifts to the destitute
- donationVoluntary charitable gift
- contributionSomething given to help
- reliefEasing of distress
- aidSupport given freely
welfare · benevolence · philanthropy · generosity · giving · beneficence · support · assistance
Secured container for valuables
- slotNarrow slit for insertion
- cofferSecure valuables container
- containerThing for storing items
- wall-mountedFixed to vertical surface
church door · narthex · vestibule · sacristy · coin slot · padlock · key
Wanting in essentials
- destituteUtterly without means
- indigentExtremely poor, lacking necessities
- impoverishedExtremely lacking in money
- beggarOne who asks for charity
orphan · widow · homeless · hungry · unfortunate · downtrodden · disadvantaged · underprivileged
parish
Local church community
congregation · clergy · priest · almsgiving · tithe · offering · collection · mass · liturgy · sanctuary
alms
Gifts to the destitute
- donationVoluntary charitable gift
- contributionSomething given to help
- reliefEasing of distress
aid · welfare · benevolence · philanthropy · generosity · giving · beneficence · support · assistance · fundraising
lockbox
Secured container for valuables
wall-mounted · church door · narthex · vestibule · sacristy · coin slot · padlock · key
needy
Wanting in essentials
- destituteUtterly without means
- indigentExtremely poor, lacking necessities
- impoverishedExtremely lacking in money
beggar · orphan · widow · homeless · hungry · unfortunate · downtrodden · disadvantaged · underprivileged · mendicant
- charitable givingcharitable gift, charitable gifts, donation, donations, contribution
- church financestithes, offerings, donations, giving, pledges
- church furnishingsaltar cloth, pew, altar rail, baptismal font, pews
- donation boxesdonation bin, poorbox, collection basket, offering basket, collection plate
- church offeringsoffering plate, collection basket, weekly offering, church collection, offertory
- Poor Lawworkhouse, workhouses, poorhouse, poorhouses, parish relief