Patten, Maine – An old church that was almost demolished a few years ago, now delivers mysterious new surprises because the locals work to uncover its history and revive it as a community center.
Marcia Pond and others who worked on saving the regular Baptist Church of 1845 in Main Street are now preparing to uncover more of their hand-painted trumppe l'oeil ceiling, which was at some point hidden by a drop of dripping underneath.
For the first time about two years ago, they learned about the original hand -painted ceiling when a small part of it was unveiled as a pond and other members of the Historical Society Patten to avert a demolition approved by the city.
You will now reveal the rest of the apparent masterpiece, which contains complex three -dimensional sky blue images. According to Brad Miller, Director of Programs for Maine for the preservation of Maine, it is one of the few ceilings of its kind in the state. He also referred to Victoria Mansion in Portland and the Readfield Union Meeting House.
However, it is still unclear who produced the painting on the ceiling.
“A quarter of it was exposed. Now it is completely exposed, ”said Teich, President of the Patten Historical Society, who led the indictment to save the oldest structure of the city. “I have researched possible artists who may have made this painting. We create a list and research certain buildings in the state that have similar blankets. “
At first, Pond got up to the city guides when she heard that they had approved the demolition of the church and asked time to collect the resources to save a critical piece of the city's inheritance. A large save save the Church Preservation Committee was formed, and in 2023 the residents voted almost unanimously to stop the planned demolition.
Since then, it has been less than a year for them to increase the means to replace a leaky roof and to maintain the integrity of the church, which is now known as a shaped cultural center. In order to pay the replacement of $ 30,000, in cooperation with Maine Preservation, they received a scholarship for 10,000 US dollars for the foundation of $ 1772 and collected further donations of $ 21,200.
Unexpected roofer, LLC, a company based in Windham with experience in historical buildings, replaced the old roof last June.
“Our intention with the church in Patten is to comprehensively consider the building and treat it as a great artifact,” said Miller. “Part of this must certainly be ensured that all repairs and improvements in the building protect the historical material that includes the ceiling, the most important element in the building.”
The term trompe l'oeil, which means “fools the eye”, was shaped in 1800 by the French artist Louis Léopold Boilly, according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting created 45 years later on the blank ceiling gives the impression of decorative plaster work With shade to let the decorative forms increase.
To uncover the rest of the painting, remove the pond and experienced volunteers a metal frame and the tile waste blanket.
“It will be very exciting,” she said, adding that it will develop in phases.
Carefully removing the drop of dripes and then finding out how it should be stabilized is the first step before the long -term efforts to restore the actual painting, said Miller.
A new oven, which is intended for installation in February, will help compensate for the temperature and humidity for the plaster on the ceiling.
As for the artist, Miller said that two things that Pond worked, it has a very real opportunity to solve the secret.
She researched the history of the building, and it could be about finding out whether there are letters or bills when the painter came through the city, he said.
“These were usually wandering craftsmen,” he said, adding that there may also be a manufacturer's brand on ceiling painting. “Hopefully there is a kind of paper path there. I think the chances are pretty good that the documents exist. “
Pond also contacted Tony Castro, a well -known plaster and a painted wall conservator, said Miller.
“He is a very talented craftsman and a very talented trumpe -l'oeil -painter. His work is breathtaking, ”said Pond. “Some time ago I turned to him to have a discussion about our ceiling and what we want to achieve. In our conversation, he explained the painting process patiently and lovingly. “
While the historical treasures of the church continue to appear, Pond had a thrill last week, while the basement was deleted for a new oven installation. She found 15 manual paints, delicate glass window panes in brown paper.
“I flew up,” she said. “I don't even remember my feet on the steps.”
In addition, a colleague shared an Ledger from the earliest days of the church. After Pond had read the entries all night, he learned that the church was the heartbeat of the community – with voting and many other records in this book.
The Patten Cultural Center seems to be a city center again and to organize events, JAM sessions, poem readings, educational meetings and a children's summer camp. In the last holidays, it had a craft market place and a visit to Santa and Caroling, which continued long past plans.
“Many wonderful, good -hearted people are behind us,” said Pond. “This is about the community to enjoy and come together to have a good time.”