Chiesa di Sant’Anna

Sandra Lacchia’s poignant words whispered through the decades, echoing the very spirit of Chiesa di Sant’Anna. Her husband, Piero Lacchia, dreamt it. Don Giovanni, the parish priest, willed it. The parishioners of Sant’Anna built it, brick by brick, lira by lira. Imagine the rumble of excavators in late 1959, a symphony of hope against a backdrop of scarce resources. Chiesa di Sant’Anna, born from a tiny chapel on Via Brione, was destined for greatness. The original chapel, dedicated to Saint Anne in 1939, was bursting at the seams with the burgeoning community. The need for a larger church became apparent, leading to the commissioning of Piero Lacchia. While the school and kindergarten materialized quickly in 1958, funding for Chiesa di Sant’Anna remained elusive. Undeterred, Don Giovanni instilled faith in his parishioners, their donations meticulously tracked on a large clock within the small chapel. Every tick represented a step closer to realizing the shared dream. Chiesa di Sant’Anna was truly a testament to their collective faith and generosity. The first stone was blessed in June 1960. By the summer of 1961, the skeleton of the church, its vault and roof, reached for the heavens. Slowly, the walls of brick rose, followed by the plaster, the fixtures, and the elegant stone, wood, and marble finishes. Christmas Eve 1963 marked a pivotal moment. The first Mass was celebrated in the new Chiesa di Sant’Anna, a beacon of faith illuminating the Turin night. Even incomplete, it was a testament to the shared vision of Don Giovanni and Piero Lacchia. The narrative of Chiesa di Sant’Anna doesn’t end with its construction. It continued with the tireless efforts of Don Giovanni, who orchestrated the creation of a scout house and an alpine retreat in Melezet. The legacy of building continued with Don Gian Carlo Vacha, who succeeded Don Giovanni. He added a litoceramic finish to the bell tower and facade sail in 1982. He also prioritized housing for the needy. The Community of Sant’Anna emerged, a testament to the enduring values of solidarity. The church stands as a physical embodiment of community spirit, a place where dreams and faith converge, a place where Sandra Lacchia’s words resonate even today.