“Saints Vito and Modesto, pray for us”. Imagine those words echoing through the Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Ss. Vito e Modesto. This church stands as a testament to faith and history.
The Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Ss. Vito e Modesto in Civate. It is more than just a building. It is a journey through centuries. Its story began long ago. A church in Civate was first mentioned in the Liber Notitiae Sanctorum Mediolani. Goffredo da Bussero wrote this at the end of the 13th century. Back then, it was part of the parish of Oggiono.
Fast forward to the 15th century. The Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Ss. Vito e Modesto was restored. In 1438, it was consecrated. But its current form took shape in the 18th century.
In 1711, major renovations began. Bernardo Maria Quarantino designed the new church. The work finished in 1734. Two years later, in 1736, it became a parish church.
Giuseppe Pozzobonelli visited in 1759. He was the archbishop. He noted the church had several affiliated chapels and oratories. These included San Pietro al Monte and San Benedetto. The parish had 900 faithful members. Twenty years later, this number rose to 905.
Giuseppe Bovara proposed a new facade in 1830. However, this design was never implemented. Restoration work occurred in 1897. That same year, Archbishop Andrea Carlo Ferrari consecrated the church. This happened during his pastoral visit.
In 1971, the parish changed vicariates. It moved from Oggiono to Lecco. The church was updated in the 1990s. This was to meet post-conciliar standards. In 2019, the facade was renovated.
The Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Ss. Vito e Modesto features a neoclassical style. The facade is divided into two levels. Each level has four pilasters. The lower level has an entrance with a small niche. The upper level features rectangular and semicircular windows. A triangular tympanum crowns the facade.
A square bell tower stands beside the church. Angular pilasters decorate it. The belfry has a single-light window. A bulbous dome sits on a drum.
Inside, the church has a single nave. Four chapels line the nave. These are the Baptistery, San Giuseppe, San Carlo, and the Madonna Addolorata. Pilasters line the walls. They support the entablature and the vault. The presbytery leads to the apse.
The Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Ss. Vito e Modesto houses several precious works. The Serassi firm built the organ in the 18th century. Angelo Bacchetta painted the fresco in the dome in 1897. It depicts the Glory of Saints Vito, Modesto, and Crescenzia. Statues of Santa Francesca Romana and San Bernardo di Chiaravalle are also present.
So, as you stand before the Chiesa Parrocchiale dei Ss. Vito e Modesto, remember its long history. Think of the faithful who have prayed within its walls. Appreciate the art and architecture that adorn it. It is a place of worship. It is a landmark. It is a piece of history.