A silent sentinel. That is the Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo Apostoli. Today we will delve into the story of this church located in Arese near Milan.
This church is dedicated to the Christian figures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. It replaced the old parish church of Saint Peter. The old church had become too small for the growing community.
Construction on the Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo Apostoli began in 1880. It was started by the local priest Don Enrico Mora. Monsignor Giuseppe Negri funded and blessed the new church in 1882. The church’s construction wasn’t fully complete until 1938. It underwent re-consecration in 1982 for its centenary.
From the early 17th century the regional population grew. This created problems for churchgoers. Many had to stand outside during mass because of the lack of space. The parish priest decided to build a larger more functional church.
Financial resources were limited. Carlo Airoldi Carlo Borghi and Carlo Minola raised funds through donations. Local landowners and entrepreneurs donated to show their devotion.
The engineer and architect Enrico Strada managed the project. The estimated cost was 43049 liras. Strada entrusted the project to Giuseppe Gallazzi and Giuseppe Airaghi. The local community also participated. The new Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo Apostoli was completed in 1882. Monsignor Giuseppe Negri blessed it. The final cost was about 60000 liras exceeding the initial budget.
The Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo Apostoli didn’t meet everyone’s expectations due to limited funds. The facade was unfinished. The walls lacked decoration. The windows had no decorative panels. The black marble altar from the old church was too small for the new space.
In 1885 Monsignor Giuseppe Negri donated 20000 liras. This helped build the bell tower completed in 1886 by Cesare Nava. New bells were needed. The community contributed 15200 liras. In 1887 the bell tower and its new bells were consecrated.
Architect Zanchetta completed the final decorations. He used Neoclassical architecture inspired by ancient Greek styles. Columns serve as decorative elements. The Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo Apostoli has three aisles and a linear facade.
A marble altar sculpted in Milan in 1913 stands within. Frescoes by Mario Grandi Chiodo depict the Conversion of Paul and Jesus handing keys to St Peter. Angelo Galloni’s fresco in the cupola represents the Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. A pipe organ sits near the main entrance.
In 1931 the parish priest commissioned Comazzi to paint frescoes. Mario Grandi completed the work in July 1931. Artistic glass walls were added to the windows in 1934.
In 1938 Gallone decorated the chapel. By the end of that year the community thought about finishing the church which had begun 60 years earlier.
The square in front of the Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo Apostoli is called St Peter and Paul Square. It features buildings from the 8th century including a reconstructed castle and Villa Borghi now a cloister. Villa Galeazzi an old villa with a private chapel lies at the end of St Anna Road.
And so the Chiesa parrocchiale dei Santi Pietro e Paolo Apostoli stands as a testament to faith community and artistic vision. Its walls echo with stories of dedication and transformation.