English Church Baveno Italy

ENGLISH CHURCH AT BAVENO. - On May 1 a beautiful little church, built by Mr Henfrey on his own grounds at Baveno, Lago Maggoire, was dedicated to the Four Evangelists by the late Bishop of Tasmania. The church, according to a correspondent of the Guardian, in a "perfect gem." Its style is late Byzantine, with a slight admixture of Lombard. In form it is octagonal. like San Vitale at Ravenna. There are two porches, consisting of circular arches springing from granite columns, which rest on white marble lions, as at Genoa and Trent. Figures of the evangelists, surmounted by their respective emblems, stand in niches at the angles. On each face of the octagon in the clerestory is a triplet window with colonnettes of black marble. Every part of the interior is richly decorated with elaborate patterns in positive colours. The lower part of the walls is lined with slabs of grey Carrara. marble. The spaces over the doors are filled With Salviati's mosaics, representing the nativity and the crucifixion. The reredos, of geometrical pattern, is also by Salviati. The windows are all filled with stained glass, by Messrs. Clayton &. Bell. The brass lectern is by Messrs. Cox 8.: Co., and the organ by Messrs. Bishop & Starr. The church and all its decorations were designed by Mr. R. P. Pullan, and were carried out entirely by Italian workmen. The church, though built at Mr Henfrey’s sole cost and standing in his private grounds, will be for the use of visitors to Baveno, and the offertory will be devoted to the aged and suffering poor of the parish. [The Architect 10 May 1873 page 255]

Reference           The Architect 10 May 1873 page 255