Kaneohe Higashi Hongwanji temple members witnessed a miracle yesterday when a 200-pound church bell, reported stolen on Saturday, reappeared before their temple intact.

“;We couldn't believe it,”; said Gladys Sakata, a volunteer and board member of the church. “;We're so thankful that the person returned it.”;

Saturday morning, the Buddhist group's minister, who lives on the temple grounds at 45-520 Keaahala Road, stepped outside at 8:30 a.m. to find that the bronze-and-copper bell had been taken.

Distraught temple members made pleas to the media and called pawnshops and recycling centers asking them to look out for their bell.

As members gathered for post-service refreshments downstairs shortly after 10 a.m. yesterday, the minister stepped out of his residence to see the 2-foot-tall bell sitting just a few feet from where it had been taken.

Sakata said, “;It was just so amazing because they brought it back, no damage to it, in broad daylight.”;