BAR HARBOR — More than a century after it arrived in Bar Harbor, a painting of St. Sylvia has returned to one of its original homes.
The Bar Harbor Historical Society facilitated the return of the restored oil-on-canvas painting to Holy Redeemer Church on August 26, 2026. The painting will be placed on permanent public display at the church, where parishioners, residents, and visitors will once again have the opportunity to see the historic work.
The painting, which originated in Italy, was imported to the United States in 1881 by Mr. and Mrs. Matthews and donated to St. Sylvia’s Catholic Church. It hung above the altar before later being moved to Holy Redeemer Church on Mount Desert Street in Bar Harbor.
Sometime in the first half of the 20th century, the painting was moved from Holy Redeemer to St. Edward’s Convent. It is believed to have remained there when the Bar Harbor Historical Society acquired the building in 1997. The painting was subsequently restored and moved from the Historical Society’s former location to La Rochelle on West Street, its current home.
The painting’s journey came full circle in August 2026, when the Rev. Philip Clement of Holy Redeemer Church contacted the Bar Harbor Historical Society about returning it to the church. Clement hoped the painting could once again be displayed at Holy Redeemer as part of the church’s history and as an artifact that could be shared there with the public.
The Bar Harbor Historical Society’s Board and Collections Committee enthusiastically supported the request and worked to facilitate the transfer, which was completed on August 26.
“We are honored to facilitate the return of this religious and cultural artifact to its former home and to help preserve and share Bar Harbor’s history,” said Erin Cough, the Bar Harbor Historical Society’s Executive Director.
Clement said the painting’s return will allow it to be “installed in a secure and dignified location and placed on permanent display for parishioners, residents of Mount Desert Island, researchers, and the many visitors who enter the church each year.”
The return of the St. Sylvia painting marks another chapter in the history of an object that has spent more than 140 years connected to the Bar Harbor community and that now, after decades away, has returned home.
MORE ABOUT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Bar Harbor Historical Society is a community and institutional leader that welcomes residents and visitors alike to discover the past in order to understand the present, and to take pride in community connections. It is a dynamic, bustling regional center for research, dialogue, and learning where stories are told through multiple media daily. Its mission is to effectively display, preserve, and interpret Bar Harbor’s rich past through its unique collections, ensuring access, enjoyment, and educational opportunities for all.
For more information, please visit https://barharborhistorical.org/ or follow the Bar Harbor Historical Society on Facebook or Instagram. The Historical Society is located at La Rochelle at 127 West Street, Bar Harbor, Maine.