The Parish Church of San Marco Evangelista is a relatively recent worship place, built in the early 20th century to meet the needs of Trecella’s growing community.

At that time, the population was just over a thousand residents, and the three existing churches had not enough space to accommodate the faithful. It was Cardinal Andrea Carlo Ferrari, Archbishop of Milan, who recommended building a new place of worship. The project by architect Father Carmelo Angelini was presented in 1912, the construction was completed two years later, and the church was consecrated on May 10, 1914.

The Marchesi Resta Pallavicino’s generous donations, the funds raised by the Parish and the profit from the sale of the old church of San Marco and Gregorio all contributed to financing the work.

EXTERIOR OH THE CHURCH
In the garden to the left of the church facade, stands a statue of Christ Redeemer, placed on a column that originally supported the pulpit inside the church. The plaque reads “Anno della Redenzione” (Year of Redemption) May 29, 1983.

The large churchyard still plays a central role in the life of the community: every year, on January 17, the traditional blessing of the animals is held there in celebration of the feast of  Saint Antonio Abate

ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Built in neo-Gothic style, the church features a Latin cross layout and a presbytery slightly disproportionate to the central nave. The nave is separated from the two side aisles by a series of columns, giving the interior a grand harmony.

The frescoes on the ceiling painted by Rinaldo Casanova, who had previously worked in the Royal Palace of Caserta, show the artist’s skill.

Above the church main entrance is a highly valuable pipe organ, currently requiring restoration.

Along the walls of the side aisles, are various statues of saints, arranged as follows:

Left Aisle:

• Saint Rita of Cascia
• Saint Defendente, patron saint of farmers and protector from wolves and fires (feast day January 2)
• Saint Eurosia, protectress from lightning, storms, and hailstorms (feast day June 25)

Right Aisle:

• Saint Antonio Abate
• Saint Agnes
• Saint Anthony of Padua

To the right of the church entrance, a fresco depicts Saint John Bosco, patron saint of the Oratory, while on the left is depicted the Baptism of Jesus.

At the end of the central nave is the new altar and behind it, the high altar containing relics of saints. At its back is a finely carved wooden choir, probably from the former parish church of Saints Marco and Gregorio.

THE SIDE ALTARS AND TRANSEPT
The left transept, bordered by a balustrade, houses an altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary and Child. This space is used by the choir during liturgical celebrations. Next to it, there is the precious 16th-century marble tabernacle, originally from the Church of San Lazzaro.

In the right transept, also bordered by a balustrade, there is the altar dedicated to All Saints. On one wall, high up, are displayed the historic gonfaloni (banners) carried in processions. Below them, three commemorative plaques:

1. On the left, in memory of Marchesi Ferdinando Resta Pallavicino and Fulvia Pallavicino Clavello, benefactors of the church.
2. In the center, in memory of Don Luigi Penati, whose legacy enabled the restoration of the paintings by master Pietro Colombo. This plaque was placed here on September 25, 1983.
3. On the right, in memory of the contributions to the construction of the church by Cardinal Ferrari, Enrichetta Terraneo, Don Luigi Gervasoni, and the entire community.

In the right transept are also kept the holy crosses and cinabri (incense burners) used during religious services. To the left of the altar is a small terracotta statue of Saint Paul VI, while on the right is the first stone of the Oratory, blessed in 1961 by then Archbishop of Milan, Giovanni Battista Montini, later Pope Paul VI.

THE URN OF SAINT MARTYR INNOCENZO
Beneath the altar in the right transept, there is the urn containing the relics of Saint Martyr Innocenzo, traditionally identified as a victim of Christian persecutions around 304 AD. His body, initially buried in the Catacombs of Saint Agnes in Rome, arrived in Trecella through various transfers and was finally donated to the local parish.

The urn, designed in a Gothic-Lombard style by artist Broggi and engineered by Chiappetta, dates from 1900 and was restored in 1973. It is now adorned with a new glass cover, a red velvet lining, and a wax mask protecting the skull.

The Urn of Saint Innocenzo is carried in procession every 25 years and during Holy Years, keeping an age-old tradition alive.