The Anglican Church

The Anglican Church of the Ascension in Cadenabbia

The Anglican church of Griante was the first Church of Anglo-Saxon denomination erected on Italian territory, it was built to meet the needs of the many English tourists who stayed in these areas towards the end of the nineteenth century. The church was designed by the young architect Giuseppe Brentano (1862 - 1889) who unfortunately died before its completion. His paternal uncle Luigi Brentano, who was already an established civil engineer, took over the continuation of the work.

The Anglican church was inaugurated in November 1891, dedicated to the Ascension and consecrated in September of the same year, over the next four years the construction continued to finish the portal, the porch and the pulpit.

The building is set with architectural features of the late fifteenth century Lombard, with a single nave with large transverse arches, a rose window on the façade, arches under the gutters and spires above the supporting pillars. Inside you’ll find monochromatic frescoes depicting geometric shapes and groups of angels, the marble pulpit and the three statues dedicated to the crucifixion placed under the arch of the presbytery are of particular value.

Every Sunday from May to September the religious services are officiated by Anglican priests from England, also in the summer season cultural evenings and concerts are organised. The magnificent sound of the ancient organ and the excellent acoustics of the church are definitely something to be witnessed and appreciated.