The're Making a Movie in the 'Hood

Former church is latest city landmark cast as movie set
October 15, 2015 Woonsocket Call
By
JOSEPH B. NADEAU

The Purge 3 film company began moving into the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center this week where its crew will continue to shoot scenes of the movie that also features other locations in Woonsocket, including a Main Street convenience store. The work at St. Ann will be conducted while the non-profit art center is closed for ‘vacation’ through Oct. 30.

WOONSOCKET – The Purge 3 production company is on the move again, this time to a shooting location inside the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center at 84 Cumberland St.

Members of Local 481, New England Set Mechanics of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, were found at former Catholic church known for its sweeping biblical frescoes painted by Guido Nincheri and Romanesque architecture.

St. Ann was deconsecrated for Catholic services in the fall of 2000 and has since been run by a non-religious and non-profit corporation staffed by volunteers seeking to preserve its title as “America’s Sistine Chapel,” with fundraising from weddings, concerts, and public events under its ornate ceilings, and banquets and functions in its downstairs rental hall.

The movie company workers inside St. Ann on Wednesday had already laid out protective coverings over carpeting and flooring in the areas to be used in the filming, both upstairs and in the downstairs function hall. The film crew was expected to arrive at the location late this week and prepare for shooting scenes in St. Ann next week.