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 $15
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Visitor Tips and News About Sistine Chapel of Rhode Island
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The paintings are gorgeous, and the stained glasswork is exquisite. The tour guide does a great job telling stories about the painter and the parish. The paintings are masterpieces, and the windows are exquisite. The tour guide tells great stories about the parish and the people while it was being painted.
Please consider leaving a donation at the church, it's an artistic treasure and all of the people working there are volunteers.
[Becky T., 07/22/2023]
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.
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