Before us stands the Chiesa di San Fruttuoso a testament to Milan’s rich history. Its present form belies centuries of change. Originally a single nave chapel it expanded gradually. The sacristan’s dwelling stood beside it. An oratory was added later.
In 1775 a commission convened. Don Giuseppe Croce a senator was involved. So was Father Cristiano Lupi representing the Augustinian monastery of San Marco. A foreman was present too. They assessed the church’s condition. It needed rebuilding. The church needed freeing from surrounding structures owned by the monastery. A boundary wall was built. The entrance was moved. Don Corbetta the parish priest oversaw these improvements.
Around 1887 the old San Fruttuoso chapel was demolished. This made way for the church’s right nave. Don Luigi Martinenghi was the parish priest then. Don Mariani’s arrival spurred significant changes. He envisioned a larger church. His brother engineered the project. His brother Giuseppe Mariani oversaw the construction. The original layout was altered. The result was a three-nave church. A new apse housed the main altar.
The gilded wooden altarpiece dates to 1891. Two angels were added that year. The old bell tower came down in 1892. A new one replaced it. New bells arrived in 1893. They were blessed by the Archpriest of Monza. The five bells chimed on August 19 1893. Cardinal Ferrari consecrated the new church on September 12 1902.
The facade was renovated around 1928 under Don Angelo Panigada. This was for the 150th anniversary of the donation of Saint Fruttuoso’s body. Statues of Saints Ambrose and Charles were added. A new floor was laid in 1934. Don Bartolomeo Molteni was the priest then. Later renovations included roof repairs led by Don Paolo.
The donation of Saint Fruttuoso’s remains is central to the church’s history. Parishioners hold a strong devotion to him. However details about his life are scarce. More precise information exists about the donation and translation of his relics. Cardinal Pier Angelo Maria Durini gave the remains to the parish church in 1778. He had received them from Pope Clement XIV. A second translation of the relics took place in 1825.