The painted angels — with round childlike faces and wings — once were among the defining features of Old North Church when they were painted around 1730.

In April 1775, an American silversmith, military officer, and industrialist by the name of Paul Revere took a frantic and brave midnight ride through Boston announcing the arrival of British troops at the onset of the American Revolutionary War.

The angels were painted in the early 18th century but painted over in 1912 as part of a renovation of the Old North Church.

The Old Church is famous for hanging two lanterns from its steeple on the night of Revere’s 1775 ride to warn of the British army’s arrival.

Conservators have uncovered eight angels in a historic Boston church that counted Paul Revere as a bell ringer and played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. The

Centuries-old angels have been uncovered at the Old North Church in Boston, made famous by Paul Revere's midnight ride.

Conservators are restoring eight angels in a historic Boston church dating back to the days of Paul Revere. (AP Video: Michael Casey and Steven Senne)