Drawn in by its striking facade of red brick and grey stone, we’re now standing before the Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno. This Catholic church stands at the crossroads of Via San Gregorio and Via Ludovico Settala. It serves as the seat of the parish of the same name within the Archdiocese of Milan. Let’s dive into its history.
The Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno has an interesting backstory. The current building wasn’t the first religious structure on this site. An earlier church dedicated to San Gregorio Magno stood here in the 19th century. That earlier church was built with temporary materials such as stucco and wood. This was due to Napoleonic rules. It also featured large windows. This church served the San Gregorio cemetery. The cemetery was once a burial ground for those who died in the Lazzaretto. The cemetery was demolished in the late 1800s.
In 1903, a decision was made to replace the old church. They wanted a new one made of masonry. Architect Solmi was entrusted with the project. Architects De Micheli and Poelli assisted him. Construction lasted five years. The Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno was completed in 1908.
Like much of Milan, the Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno suffered during World War II. In 1943, Allied bombings damaged the church. An incendiary bomb destroyed the roof that August. However, the supporting structure remained intact. After the rubble was cleared, the church reopened. Repairs were completed after the war.
The exterior of the Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno displays a Neo-Romanesque style. Red brick walls contrast with grey stone decorations. These elements reflect Lombard Romanesque architecture. The facade juts out from the main structure. Two tall single-light windows flank the sides. A rose window sits above the entrance. A portico rests on small columns. Beneath it is the main portal. A mosaic lunette above the portal depicts San Gregorio Magno.
Behind the Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno, a square tower rises. It too features two-tone brickwork. The belfry has a single-light window on each side. Inside, five bells ring out. Luigi and Giorgio Ottolina of Seregno created them after World War II.
Inside the Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno, a single nave extends. There is no transept. The apse is shallow. The interior style blends Neo-Gothic with Liberty elements. The nave has a double-sloping ceiling. Pointed arches support it. Small rose windows provide light. Seven chapels line each side of the nave. The first chapel on the right holds a wooden crucifix. It dates back to the time of Carlo Borromeo in the 16th century. The second chapel honors Saint Clare of Assisi. Her image is in the altarpiece. The third chapel features a painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A frontal depicts the Last Supper. The fourth chapel has a marble sculpture. It shows Saint Joseph and the Child Jesus. In the first chapel on the left, a statue portrays Saint Gregorio Magno at prayer. Achille Alberti created it. The second chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, holds relics of Saints Celestino and Innocente. The third chapel displays a canvas. It depicts the Virgin and Child with Saints Ambrose and Charles. The fourth chapel features a statue. It shows the Madonna enthroned with the Child Jesus. The remaining chapels serve as side entrances and confessional spaces.
A tempera painting by Luigi Morgari decorates the rear wall of the nave. It shows the Crucifixion. To the left, the Redemption of Purgatory Souls and to the right, the Resurrection of the Dead. Three pointed arches open. The central arch connects the nave to the apse. The apse has a quadrangular shape. It contains the presbytery, elevated by steps. White marble furnishings adorn the space. The tabernacle is in the chapel to the right. The chapel to the left serves as a baptistery. The sacristy holds various items that belonged to San Carlo Borromeo.
The Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno has a pipe organ. Balbiani-Vegezzi Bossi built it in 1970. The instrument has electric action and 42 stops. It is enclosed in a case. The facade features principal pipes in two lateral spires converging towards the center. The detached console is in the apse. It has two 61-note keyboards and a 32-note concave-radial pedalboard.
The Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and artistic vision. Its walls echo with history. Its art inspires reflection. As we leave, consider the layers of time. Remember the stories woven into its very stones.