| Church of Saint Edward | |
| Denomination: | Roman Catholic |
| Diocese: | Diocese of Milan |
| Parish: | Saint Edward |
| Division: | Neighbourhood of Saint Edward |
| Subdivision: | The 'Ring' Quarter |
| Dedication: | Saint Edward |
| Founded Date: | 24 June 1938 |
| Consecrated Date: | 12 October 1939 |
| Architect: | Giuseppe Polvara Giacomo Bettoli |
| Years Built: | 1938–1939 |
| Capacity: | 210 (sitting) 500 (sitting and standing) |
| Dedicated Date: | 1939 |
| Priest: | Don Antonio CorviDon Giorgio ZordanDon Gabriele Bof |
| Director: | Luca Andena [1] |
| Location: | Busto Arsizio, Lombardy |
| Country: | Italy |
The Church of Saint Edward is a Roman Catholic church in Busto Arsizio, Italy. The church serves as parish church of the parish of Sant'Edoardo, along with the Church of Santa Croce. Construction of the church began on 24 June 1938 and was consecrated by Cardinal Ildefonso Schuster on 12 October 1939. The church serves as the parish church for the neighbourhood of Sant’Edoardo.
In 1936, plans to construct a larger church for the Cascina Brughetto began. The previous church, dedicated to Sant'Eurosia, was demolished in 1954, 15 years after the Church of St. Edward opened, and 2 years after the Church of Santa Croce opened. [2]
Construction of the church began on 24 June 1938 and was finished and consecrated on 12 October 1939 by Cardinal Ildefonso Schuster. The church was primarily funded by Edoardo Gabardi, to which the church was dedicated.[3]
The church was designed by two architect-priests, Don Giuseppe Polvara and Don Giacomo Bettoli.[4] The frescos were painted between 1943 and 1947 by Ernesto Bergagna.
In 1945, at the church, the order for the partigiani to liberate the area was sent from the church. The first priest, Don Ambrogio Gianotti (1901–1969), was a partigiano[5]
In 1972 the church acquired the paintings from the Church of Santa Croce, which was demolished that year. The church also has an Oratorio, dedicated to Giovanni Bosco. The oratorio was founded in 1946, originally dedicated to San Luigi. In the late 1990s the oratorio was divided, with sant'Edoardo changing their oratorio name to Giovanni Bosco, meanwhile San Luigi kept the name. [6]
The church celebrates its patron saint day on the second Sunday of October every year.[7]
The church's current priests are: Don Antonio Corvi, Don Giorgio Zordan and Don Gabriele Bof [8] . The church's nun is Suor. Laura Motta, who arrived in 2024 [9] . The choir is directed by Luca Andena [10] .
The interior of the church is decorated with frescos, painted by Ernesto Bergagna. At the back of the altar there is a large mosaic, representing the trinity, made by the ‘Beato Angelico’ school.[4]
On the left side of the church, near the altar, there is the church's organ, donated by the church of Santa Maria di Piazza. The nave has six chapels, three on the left side, three on the right. Along with the main altar, there are 2 other ones on each side of the main altar. Inside the church there is the tomb of Don Ambrogio Gianotti[5]
The frescos on the churches side walls were painted in 1985 by Giuseppe Magini [11] . There are 12 frescos on the walls. Magini chose these frescos to represent the prayer of the Profession of faith [12], and they terminated on the church's main arch with the words Tu solo signore hai parole di vita eterna (Only you lord have the words of eternal life) [13] . Each of the 12 frescos depicts a verse from the profession of faith prayer. The 12th fresco depicts Maranatha (מרנאתא). This was chosen to represent the community's unity and hope [14] . It is supposed to be read left to right, starting from the right side of the church.
The exterior is covered with bare brick. The church also has a portico by the entrance, with two memorials dedicated to Edoardo Gabardi and Don Ambrogio Gianotti. The portico was constructed in 1941. [5]
The church's bell tower was constructed in 2002–2003, and opened in 2003. The construction of the steel frame though, began in 1946, but due to lack of funds it wasnt completed for another 57 years. It has the same style of bare brick like the church. There are ten bells. On the side of the bell tower, there is a plaque, erected at the beginning of the tower's construction.[15]
Don Ambrogio Gianotti (1901-1969), first priest of St. Edward, partigiano[16]
The church has one burial, the Tomb of Ambrogio Gianotti. He was interred in the church on 12 April 1980, after being moved from the Busto Arsizio Cemetery. [17] [18]