Woonsocket, Rhode Island: Sistine Chapel of Rhode Island

Painted in the 1940s by Italian artist Guido Nincheri, on the ceiling of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church. He used its members as his biblical figure models.

St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center

Address:: 84 Cumberland St., Woonsocket, RI
Directions:: St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center. Downtown. On the north side of Cumberland St. just east of its intersection with Hwy 126/Clinton-Social St. It's in the big old church.
Hours:: Su 1-4 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 401-356-0713
Admission:: Adults $9.00

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St. Ann's.

St. Ann's Art & Cultural Center

This is just as beautiful as any grand church in Europe. St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center is Woonsocket's own Sistine Chapel, with city ancestors looking down from the historic walls. Ornate stained glass along with the largest collection of fresco paintings in North America cover every wall of the restored building (In the 1940s, an Italian artist, Guido Nincheri, used members of the church as his models).

When the Diocese sold off St. Ann's in 2000, former parishioners worked with art lovers to step in and save the building that had been a second home to so many poor French Canadian immigrants since the early 1900s.

The building is only open on Sundays from 1-4, and a fascinating hour-long tour is given that tells the history and transition that this church has undergone. This is truly a gem in the city of Woonsocket.

[Sue, 04/06/2013]