Bostonians and visitors alike are witnessing the exciting revival of hidden artworks at the Old North Church, home to murals of 20 angels concealed for over 100 years. A team of mural conservators, led by Gianfranco Pocobene, has been diligently working atop scaffolding, peeling back layer after layer of paint to reveal these historical figures, once visible to congregants back around 1730 when they were originally painted.
The Old North Church, forever entwined with Paul Revere's famous midnight ride, was where the iconic lanterns were hung to signal the British army's approach. It stands as Boston's oldest church building, but its beauty has been masked since 1912 when the angels were painted over during renovations.
“When we first looked at the project six months ago, we had no idea what was here,” said Pocobene. “It’s really been quite a reveal to find these historic works of art on the walls of the church.” The project has drawn attention not only for its artistic significance but also for its cultural relevance, particularly as the 250th anniversary of Revere's ride approaches.
Emily Spence, associate director of education at Old North Illuminated, remarked on the contextual importance of the restoration efforts. “For much of the church’s history, visitors would have seen those angels, would have seen the colorful interior,” she noted. The restoration is intended to return the church to its vibrant historical roots, emphasizing the rich identity of its Anglican congregation.
The church was built to serve Boston’s soaring colonial Anglican community, whose members often profited from the slave trade, making the revival of the church's history particularly poignant. Spence mentioned how the colorful interior not only reflected the church's aesthetic but also set it apart from the more austere Puritan establishments prevalent during the time.
Efforts to restore the angels began last September and have shown promising results. Eight angels have been revived so far, with plans to complete another eight by spring 2024. The angels were painted by John Gibbs, who signed the contract detailing the decorative work performed on the church.
A 2017 study confirmed the angels were still lurking beneath the layers, but the extent of their damage wasn't known until now. Corrine Long, another conservator, detailed the intricacies of the restoration process. “Removing seven layers of paint without damaging these works was challenging,” she explained. They used solvent gels to soften the paint and then carefully scraped it off.
Every angel bears its unique character, as highlighted by Pocobene: “They’re not copies. The artist painted them individually, giving them distinct poses and creating a rhythmic pattern across the surface of the church.” This individuality reflects both the artistry of the time and the worshippers' intentions nearly three centuries ago.
The atmosphere inside Old North Church recently echoed with the whispers of history as conservators worked. Tourist encounters added another layer of emotional texture to the restoration project, with visitors like Sean Dixon and Sarah Jardine from California expressing their astonishment upon seeing the scaffolding. “I was kind of shocked when I first saw it. It looks really cool,” Dixon said, eager for the full reveal.
This project is, at its core, about more than just restoration; it’s about reconnecting with the machine of history and cultural identity represented by Old North Church. The hope is to enlighten not only churchgoers but all who find their way to this pivotal site of American history as the community prepares to celebrate two significant anniversaries: the founding of the church and Revere's historic ride.
Returning to its colorful past engages not just history buffs but paints anew the narrative of colonial America—a tale of freedom, identity, and the multifaceted shadows cast by the era. Old North Church stands as not just another attraction but as the keeper of stories and secrets waiting to be uncovered once again.
