Secret 'Sistine Chapel' decked out with frescos in unlikely location

The South Solon Meeting House in Waterville, Maine, is known by locals as "Maine's Sistine Chapel," according to The Associated Press (AP).

In 1951, the empty building was discovered by Margaret Day Blake, a former art student.

Blake reached out to students at Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and called young artists to paint frescoes, said AP.

Colby College in Maine has dedicated a website to the church describing the various scenes and the 13 artists featured in the building.

Nonagenarians Sigmund Abeles of New York City and Sidney Hurwitz of Newton, Massachusetts were two of the artists who contributed.  

He added, "I very much enjoyed it."

Abeles said he painted the scene of Jacob wrestling with the angel.

He told AP, "It's a very, very special place, and it was a unique experience."

"I fell in love with the place, because I have studied frescoes all my life," said Plesch.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.