A 1877 stained glass window showing Jesus as a person of color uncovered in Rhode Island church

A 147-year-old stained glass window that appears to be depict Jesus as a person of color has been uncovered in a Rhode Island church.

Harvard-trained art historian Hadley Arnold claims to have spotted the image - which is made using brown glass - in the 12-foot windows years after buying St Mark's church in Warren.

The picture had previously gone unnoticed as worshippers did not realize it was supposed to be Jesus. 

It shows the son of God talking to two women - believed to be Mary and Martha -  who are also shown as people of color.

A 147-year-old stained glass window that appears to be depict Jesus as a person of color has been uncovered in a Rhode Island church

Produced in 1877, the window could be the first ever public work  to depict Jesus as a person of color. 

'In the Sharp window we’re seeing some things that we think maybe we’ve never seen before,' Arnold told the Providence Journal.  

She has since been visited by art historians, architectural historians and religious scholars. 

Virginia Raguin - a professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts - was among those to visit. 

'This is a radical statement about fundamental equality of persons, and today we are privileged to have this record,' she told the Providence Journal.

Many of the other windows in the church use milky-white glass - suggesting the transition to brown was intentional.

What's more the windows are unusual as they depict bible stories in detail.

Harvard-trained art historian Hadley Arnold claims to have spotted the image - which is made using brown glass - in the 12-foot windows years after buying St Mark's church in Warren

One shows Mary and Martha - sisters of Lazarus - hosting Jesus in their home.

The second image shows  Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman who is gathering water.

At the time men and women were not supposed to talk in public. 

Arnold referred to the piece as a 'rebel window.'