Chiesa Anglicana Holy Cross - Palermo

The Church of the "Santa Croce" (Holy Cross), the only 19th century Anglican temple in Palermo . Built between 1871 and 1875, the church stands out for its unique architecture and decorations , in a fascinating combination of simplicity and richness, between the Gothic and Byzantine styles.

Among the Gothic elements are the large rose window depicting the theme of the Adoration of the Lamb , the high spiers and the pointed bell tower that stands on the left, the architectural structure with a Latin plan with three naves instead of Byzantine and its beautiful golden mosaics of the apse .

Three windows , located in the west wall, symbolically represent the Virgin Mary, the Apostle John and Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross, after which the church is named.

The central point is the beautiful apse , consisting of a series of trefoil and mosaic niches, depicting the twelve apostles and the risen Christ . Above, five painted windows depict the trial, the crucifixion, the resurrection, the ascension of Jesus and the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The marble pillars around the apse are dedicated to important figures from the English Church and the Reformation; Saint Augustine of Canterbury and Queen Elizabeth I.

Of particular value are the baptismal font and pulpit , designed by an English architect and sculpted by Benedetto Civiletti, with marble from Palermo, Carrara, Devonshire, Cornwall and Derbyshire. The stained glass windows were designed in London by Lavers, Barraud and Westlake and built by Cox & Sons. Some of them, destroyed by the bombings of 1943, were restored by Pietro Bevilacqua.

The organ, modeled on that of York Cathedral, was restored in 2003 to celebrate the centenary of its construction and is played every Sunday and on special occasions.

Willem Vandenameele