The Church of The Holy Trinity (or of St. Augustine)

Versione Italiana

Engravings on the arch over the small door to the bell tower and on the architrave of the main entrance door to the church record that the Church of the Holy Trinity was restored in 1576. It is located on the eastern side of the village in an area slightly raised above the main street level. In fact, access to the ancient church is via a scenic staircase and through the large durazzesco portal that leads into the area of the Triad, from here a panoramic view of the village can be enjoyed.

The church is also called “of St. Augustine” because of the adjoining Monastery of the Augustinian monks.

The south-west facing facade of the church was reconstructed over the original structure from the 15th century, of which some particulars still remain. These details, by unknown artists, are “decorative” works that certainly required great patience as seen in the entrance door of the church and in ashlars and the truncated pilasters. The bell tower is also particular, topped by a pyramid-shaped spire on an octagonal base, the sides are “pierced” by rows of holes with raised borders.

The entrance door is distinctive for the tympanum above the architrave, the wide arch that opens into the church supports the “choir stall”, on the front of which can be read:

SUMPTIBUS CONPRN

D: JOSEPH GIARDINA PRON

ANNO DNI MDCCXLVIII

Opposite, high up in the middle of the arch of triumph, another inscription highlights who the church is dedicated to:

TRINO

UNI DEO

The Holy Trinity was actually painted on the ceiling of the church before it was reconstructed with a trussed roof in more recent times.

The floor was once composed of chequered tiles “one white and one black”, today it is of hexagonal terracotta tiles. The interior of the church consists of one nave and is distinctive for the contrast between the four altars, noted for their wooden structures coloured in sea-blue with pale gold friezes, and the simple white walls, adorned only by mouldings and “winged cherubs”. On the wall to the right as you enter the wooden pulpit is noteworthy, underneath this a small door leads across the cloister to the sacristy in the attached monastery. Next to the door a characteristic bell “signals” the solemn moments of religious ceremonies.

Some paintings are found on the walls of the church. Prominent amongst these is a small canvas by an unknown artist representing the “Madonna with Child” and mounted in a golden frame of “sculptured” wood. The painting is small but the frame is majestic with cherubs holding up a large crown. On the same wall a large painting stands out, it is also by an unknown artist and portrays the “Apparition of the Madonna to St. Augustine and St. Monica” (the mother of St. Augustine). On the wall to the left as you enter a large canvas represents “St. Thomas of Villanova”, formerly the archbishop of Valencia (Spain) as well as liberator of the poor and oppressed. Close by is a painting dedicated to “the dead St. Alessio”, donated by the Paguni heirs (the sisters Giuseppa, Concetta and Angela). In the niche above the first altar on the left is found the statue of St. Joseph. A “Last Supper” painted on canvas dating back to 1840 is also interesting.

The work of art that more than any other represents the church and its congregation is the painting portraying the “Visit of the Three Angels to Abraham”, symbol of the hospitality of Forza D'Agrò towards all who visit the ancient village. On the day of the Festival of the Holy Trinity it is traditional to offer guests small ring-shaped cakes, called “cuddure”, that are then displayed in homes as protection against storms.                  

Over the past centuries the church of the Triad was the property of the Fraternity of the Holy Trinity.