Maine’s Hidden ‘Sistine Chapel’ Stuns Visitors With 70-Year-Old Frescoes

From the outside, the South Solon Meeting House in Waterville, Maine, might not turn many heads. But step inside, and you’re suddenly surrounded by a riot of color and artistry that’s earned it the nickname “Maine’s Sistine Chapel.” The building’s walls and ceilings are covered in vibrant fresco murals—masterpieces painted in the 1950s that have stood the test of time for over 70 years.

This church, built back in 1842, originally served local congregations until the 1940s. Its second act began in 1951, when Margaret Day Blake, a former art student, stumbled upon the neglected space. Sensing its potential, she invited students from the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture to transform the bare walls into something extraordinary.

The artists—thirteen in total—were tasked with recreating biblical scenes in true fresco style, providing “rich and suitable” imagery for the sacred space. Among them were Sigmund Abeles of New York City and Sidney Hurwitz of Newton, Massachusetts, both now in their nineties. Hurwitz recalled painting by day and enjoying peaceful lunch breaks in the cemetery out back, calling it “a very idyllic time.”

Abeles, for his part, painted the dramatic scene of Jacob wrestling with the angel from the Book of Genesis. Reflecting on the experience, he described the meeting house as “a very, very special place” and the project as a “unique experience.”

Today, the South Solon Meeting House is more than just a relic. It serves as a community gathering spot and performance space, continuing to inspire awe in those who walk through its doors. Colby College professor Véronique Plesch, a lifelong student of frescoes, hopes the building will inspire others to appreciate this ancient art form. She admits she “fell in love with the place” at first sight—and honestly, who could blame her?

Thanks to the vision of artists and art lovers, this little church in Maine has become an unexpected sanctuary of creativity, quietly dazzling anyone lucky enough to find it.