BOSTON — High above in a historic Boston church, murals conservator Gianfranco Pocobene is diligently working to uncover eight angels concealed under layers of paint for over a century.
These painted angels, characterized by their round, childlike faces and wings, were once a defining feature of the Old North Church, originally painted around 1730. However, during a significant renovation in 1912, church officials obscured them with thick coats of white paint, a transformation that restorationists are now endeavoring to reverse.
“When we first examined the project six months ago, we were unaware of what lay beneath,” Pocobene remarked, as the church, recognized as Boston’s oldest church building, prepared to dismantle the scaffolding and reveal eight of the twenty angels.
“It has been a remarkable revelation to uncover these historically significant artworks that have remained hidden for so long. Participating in a project that reveals something from colonial America is truly extraordinary,” he added.
The Old North Church, a prominent landmark in Boston’s North End, is famously known for the two lanterns displayed from its steeple on the night of Paul Revere’s 1775 ride, warning of the British army’s approach. Revere himself was a teenage bell ringer within the congregation. In 1860, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow referenced the church in “Paul Revere’s Ride,” coining the phrase, “one if by land, and two if by sea.”
As the 250th anniversary of Revere’s ride approaches in April, church officials are aiming to highlight both its origins in 1723 and its role as a symbol of liberty, alongside its historical connections to the slave trade—many early congregants profited from slavery. The church was constructed to accommodate Boston’s growing colonial Anglican community, with an interior much more vibrant than what visitors encounter today.
“For much of the church’s history, worshippers would have viewed those angels and appreciated the colorful interior,” noted an associate director at Old North Illuminated, which manages the site. “The color scheme was vital to the congregation’s identity, distinguishing it from the predominantly Puritan society of Boston at that time.”
The exploration to restore the angels commenced in September, with efforts aimed at rejuvenating the sandstone and teal-colored figures—eight have been completed this month, with plans for the remaining angels by spring. Originally designed to resemble stone sculptures, the reason behind their concealment remains a mystery.
Historical records confirmed the presence of the angels, including a contract signed with John Gibbs, a congregation member responsible for their creation. A paint analysis conducted in 2017 affirmed their existence, though their condition remained uncertain.
A conservator assisting Pocobene, Corrine Long, detailed the challenges of removing seven layers of paint while preserving the integrity of the angels. The team first utilized a solvent gel to soften the layers before carefully removing them with plastic scrapers. The angels were then cleaned before undergoing any necessary touch-ups.
Once the paint removal process began, it became clear that something extraordinary had been unearthed.
“Each angel possesses its own character—they are not replicas,” Pocobene stated. “John Gibbs painted them individually, resulting in a beautiful rhythmic pattern across the church walls.”
For Long, a fulfilling aspect of the endeavor is restoring the church to its original grandeur for visitors to appreciate.
“Stepping into a historic building adorned with original paintings and decorations is truly awe-inspiring,” she expressed. “When it has been repainted in white, it diminishes some of the majesty and history.”
Recently, with the church largely empty apart from conservators, two tourists from California visited. They gazed up at the scaffolding, their anticipation growing as they caught glimpses of the angels hidden behind steel.
“I was initially taken aback when I saw it,” remarked one tourist. “It looks incredible, and I’m excited to see the full picture once the scaffolding is down.”
