St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center is a non- profit corporation dedicated to the preservation of the former St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church. The Center's mission is to develop multiple venues of adaptive reuse for this endangered and irreplaceable, artistic and historical asset, thereby ensuring its preservation and producing a resource for the community.
The St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center is located at 84 Cumberland Street in Woonsocket, RI.

Description:
St. Ann Arts & Cultural Center is a heartfelt manifestation of an ongoing effort to develop new life in the former church for the benefit our nation's artistic and cultural heritage. Built between 1913 and 1917, it was gradually decorated over the subsequent decades through the impassioned efforts of the French Canadian immigrants who settled in this manufacturing region. The substantial beauty of the rare fresco paintings, stained glass, and architecture stand as a testament to what a community of family and faith were able to accomplish through perseverance and sacrifice. This Cultural Center is a precious gem beckoning to be discovered by all, and for its value to be recognized within the multi-faceted national heritage that is the pride of our country.

History:
In the last 30 years of the 19th century, large numbers of Franco-Americans migrated from Canada to parts of New England in order to earn a living for their families by working in the booming textile trade. Most settled in communities where they proudly maintained their own culture, attracting priests, doctors and other professionals to cater to them in their own language. Those that settled in Woonsocket, Rhode Island numbered over 8,500 by 1888 making it difficult for the one French speaking parish to meet their religious needs. For that reason, in October of 1890, St. Ann's parish was founded. That parish flourished with the influx of thousands of new parishioners over the next fifty years to the point where several other parishes were formed from its original parishioners.

Due to the dedication and generosity of its parishioners, a large and beautiful church was built in the early 20th century (1913 to 1917). On the 35th anniversary of the parish, over 40 magnificent stained glass windows were installed between the years1923 and 1925. Unfortunately, we know little more about these windows except that they were created by the CH. Lorin Company in Chartres, France.

During the 1940's Professor Guido Nincheri, an artist, trained in Florence, Italy and living in Montreal, Canada, was hired to cover the plain interior walls with religious paintings. When he discovered that the walls had never been given their final coat of plaster, Prof. Nincheri took advantage of that fact to cover the ceilings and walls with magnificent paintings done in the fresco style made famous by Michaelangelo and Rafael. The extent and beauty of the fresco artwork are unparalleled in New England and possibly in the United States. Professor Nincheri devoted eight years to this monumental task. There are over 175 specific scenes with 600 characters and over 400 faces. As the model for each face, Nincheri chose a parishioner. In essence, the faces of our ancestors are everywhere in this building.

Contact people:

St Ann Arts And Cultural Center Office Main Office, (401) 356-0713, (email) Walter Rathbun, Board President, (401) 486-9380, (email)

Address:

84 Cumberland Street Woonsocket, RI 02895 (See a map)

Directions:

From Boston - Follow Rt. 95 South to Rt. 295 South to Rt. 146 North (Exit 9B) and immediately bear right to Rt. 99. At traffic light take left (Mendon Rd.). Proceed through 3 traffic lights to Cumberland Hill Rd (Passing. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: At the Corner of Building End of street, 5 minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Handicap accessible?
	Yes
Interests Served:
	Solutions for Children, Youth, Families, Helping People in Crisis, Building Adult & Neighborhood Independence
Does your agency accept court-appointed volunteers?
	No