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Brooklyn Church Discovers Hidden Artwork Painted Across Ceiling

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Brooklyn church has uncovered a treasure trove of history and all people had to do was look up.

As CBS 2's Jessica Schneider reported Friday, a renovation project at Grace Church in Brooklyn Heights revealed a work of art dating back to the mid-1800s.

"No one had any idea. This was covered over in 1910," said historic preservationist Lisa Swyers.

Swyers said she was brought in after crews removing the "faux bois" paint that covered the walls and ceiling discovered patterns of bright colors dating back to 1866.

"When they turned the lights on, everybody went WOW!" said Thomas Chittenden, senior warden of Grace Church.

And now that all of the old paint has been removed, artists are working by hand to restore and enhance every detail of the work of art, Schneider reported.

"Nobody really knew the extent of it and the brilliance of the colors," Chittenden said.

Since the discovery, parishioners have donated $5 million toward the massive restoration project.

Grace Church said it plans to unveil the new ceiling on Easter morning in April.

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