Rising majestically before you stands the Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Apostoli Pietro e Paolo. Its imposing presence speaks volumes of history. It whispers tales of faith dedication and community spirit. This isn’t just a church it’s the heart of Arese.
The story of the Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Apostoli Pietro e Paolo begins long ago. The old parish church of Saint Peter became too small. The growing community needed a larger place of worship. So in 1880 construction began. Don Enrico Mora the local priest initiated this ambitious project. Monsignor Giuseppe Negri blessed the undertaking in 1882. Funding came from generous donations. Local landowners and entrepreneurs contributed significantly. They showed their love for their community and their faith.
Engineer and architect Enrico Strada masterminded the design. He envisioned a Neoclassical style. Think clean lines and elegant simplicity. The initial budget was 43049 liras. Local engineer Giuseppe Gallazzi and master builder Giuseppe Airaghi oversaw the construction. Even members of the community pitched in. The church was completed in 1882. The actual cost however exceeded the estimate reaching about 60000 liras.
The initial structure wasn’t quite what some hoped for. The facade remained unfinished. The walls lacked decoration. The windows were plain. The old black marble altar felt out of place in the larger space. Further funding was needed. Monsignor Negri generously donated an additional 20000 liras in 1885. This allowed for the construction of the bell tower completed in 1886 by engineer Cesare Nava. New bells replaced the old ones. The number of bells increased from three to five. More community contributions raised approximately 15200 liras for their consecration in 1887.
The final decorative project fell to architect Zanchetta. He drew inspiration from Milan’s Neoclassical architecture. He incorporated elements of ancient Greek architecture. The use of columns is striking. They serve as decorative elements not structural supports. The church features a prominent structure with three aisles. The facade is a prime example of Neoclassical architecture long linear and unadorned.
Inside a marble altar sculpted by a Milanese company in 1913 commands attention. Two frescoes by Mario Grandi Chiodo depict the Conversion of Paul and Jesus giving the keys to St Peter. Angelo Galloni painted the cupola in 1938. His fresco portrays the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. A pipe organ near the main entrance adds to the church’s grandeur. Further decorations including frescoes by Comazzi and Grandi added to its beauty. The chapel’s large fresco completed by Gallone in 1938 cost around 20000 liras.
Today the Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Apostoli Pietro e Paolo stands as a testament to faith perseverance and community. It is a beautiful and historic landmark. It serves as a place of worship and a symbol of Arese’s rich past. Its story is one of collective effort and unwavering devotion a story that lives on within these walls.