BOSTON — High above the historic Old North Church in Boston, murals conservator Gianfranco Pocobene is meticulously uncovering a hidden treasure: eight angels that have been concealed beneath layers of paint for over a century.
Originally painted around 1730, these cherubic figures with round faces and wings were once a striking part of the church’s vibrant interior. However, during a significant renovation in 1912, church officials coated them with thick white paint, obscuring their beauty. The effort to reverse this historical oversight has been gaining momentum, as both restorationists and church officials aim to restore the church’s original aesthetic.
“What lies beneath the paint?” Pocobene wondered aloud, recalling when he and his team first embarked on this project six months earlier. They were entirely unaware of the artistic treasures hidden beneath the surface. As the oldest church in Boston prepares for further unveiling, Pocobene expressed excitement about revealing these artworks that have remained unseen for generations. “Finding these historical works of art is truly extraordinary,” he noted.
A cornerstone of Boston’s North End and a significant Revolutionary War landmark, the Old North Church is best recognized for the two lanterns that once hung from its steeple, a signal during Paul Revere’s famous ride in 1775. Revere, who was a bell ringer at the church as a teenager, was immortalized in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Paul Revere’s Ride,” which famously highlights the church in American folklore.
As the 250th anniversary of Revere’s ride approaches this April, church leaders are keen to promote not only the church’s role in American history but also its founding in 1723 and its associations with the slave trade, noting that many of the church’s earliest congregants benefited from that commerce. Originally constructed to serve Boston’s growing Anglican population, the church’s interior was much more colorful than what visitors typically see today.
“Those angels and the vibrant colors of the interior would have welcomed congregants throughout much of the church’s history,” said Emily Spence, associate director of education at Old North Illuminated, the organization responsible for maintaining the site. “The church’s design was distinct from the more austere styles of Puritan congregations that were prevalent in the region.”
The exploration and restoration efforts commenced in September, with the goal of revealing the original sandstone and teal-colored angels. While eight angels have been successfully restored this month, the team expects to complete work on the remaining eight by spring. These figures were meant to resemble stone sculptures, and it remains a mystery as to why they were painted over originally.
Researchers had known from historical documents about the angels’ existence and possessed a contract signed with painter John Gibbs, who created them. A paint analysis conducted in 2017 confirmed their hidden presence, but the specifics of their condition were still unknown until restoration began.
Conservator Corrine Long, who collaborates with Pocobene, highlighted the intricacies involved in removing the seven layers of paint without damaging the artwork underneath. Utilizing a solvent gel to soften the paint, the conservators meticulously scraped away the layers before cleaning the angels and retouching any damage.
Upon successfully removing the paint, the team quickly recognized the uniqueness of each angel. “Each one has its own character,” Pocobene remarked. “They were painted individually, and their varied poses create a wonderful rhythmic pattern across the church’s surface.”
Long expressed the joy of returning the church to its original vision and the historical context it represents. “Walking into a historical building and seeing its original decorations is humbling; whitewashed walls take away the majesty of its past,” she said.
On a recent day, the church’s atmosphere was tranquil, save for the conservators at work. A couple of tourists, Sean Dixon and Sarah Jardine from California, ventured inside to explore. The scaffolding obscured much of the view, yet they were nonetheless captivated by the potential of what lay above.
“I was honestly shocked when I first saw it. It looks incredible, and I can’t wait to see the final result when the scaffolding comes down,” said Dixon, an account manager from San Francisco. Each unveiling brings the historic narrative of the Old North Church back into focus, enriching visitors’ understanding of its legacy.
