Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Marcellina e San Giuseppe alla Certosa

How imposing this facade looks. You are standing in front of the Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Marcellina e San Giuseppe alla Certosa. This parish church is in the northwest of Milan. The church was consecrated in 1958. It was designed by the architect Mario Tedeschi in the second half of the 20th century. This makes the Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Marcellina e San Giuseppe alla Certosa a relatively new church in this historic city. The most striking feature of the Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Marcellina e San Giuseppe alla Certosa is the facade. It’s a monumental concrete sculpture by Carlo Ramous. It covers a surface area of about 130 square meters. The artist integrated the sculpture into the architecture. It’s physically separated from the building structure but connected by the roof. At the center of the composition, you can see the crucifixion with the two thieves on each side. The four corners feature the evangelists. From top left clockwise: Saint John, Saint Matthew, Saint Luke, and Saint Mark. The left panel depicts a flight of angels, Saint Satyrus and Saint Marcellina. They were the siblings of Saint Ambrose. You can find him on the right panel. Saint Marcellina is depicted handing a church to Saint Ambrose. The panel further shows the resurrection of Jesus and Jesus before Pilate below Saint John. To the right of Saint Mark, you can discover the episodes of the Raising of Lazarus and the multiplication of the loaves and fishes. Upon closer inspection of the right panel, you’ll notice the Adoration of the Magi. You will also find scenes depicting Saint Ambrose and the baptism of Jesus under the second thief. Interestingly the Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Marcellina e San Giuseppe alla Certosa is surrounded by a moat. Footbridges connect it to the outer square and provide access to the church. The sculpture by Ramous is connected to the building by a gable roof with beams. This design creates a passageway resembling a portico before the entrance. The interior is accessible through two side doors. The architect Mario Tedeschi also designed the baptismal font inside the church. During the design phase, the surrounding parish was part of the parish of Santa Maria alla Certosa di Garegnano. However in 1956 Archbishop Montini established the parish of San Giuseppe in Santa Marcellina. Saint Marcellina was chosen as the patron saint to protect the local community. This working-class neighborhood had its backbone on Via Espinasse where the Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Marcellina e San Giuseppe alla Certosa stands today. The church still serves as a symbol of protection and community for the residents of Milan. The Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Marcellina e San Giuseppe alla Certosa stands as a testament to the evolution of religious architecture. It beautifully blends modern artistry with traditional elements.