Among the churches of Moschiano, we also remember that of the Immacolata, already present at the beginning of year 1300. Located in the Croce district, indicated in the curial documents with the title of "S.Maria Conceptionis sue della Nova".

In the 16th century the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception was established there with recognition of its foundation sent to the Masters of the Congregation on 26 March 1514 by the Bishop of Nola Francesco Bruno. Recognition confirmed by "bullas apostolicas" transmitted by Pope Leo The church was allowed a "Hospitale" consisting of "a large room and another house below".

In fact, the Confraternity was obliged by regulation to help sick brothers and sisters for whom it had an annually paid doctor. It had to <<to house and host pilgrims and to feed and drink to the poor beggars who come to stay overnight in this hospital.>>.A congregation, therefore, with highly human aims!

And again the Congregation of the Immaculate Conception of Moschiano was affiliated to the Confraternity of the Holy Places of Jerusalem to which it contributed due to the need for the Holy Places dominated by the Turks who imposed exorbitant tributes on the Franciscan Fathers who were administrators of the places of worship.

The offerings were collected annually by the "Seeker of the Holy Land". And also donations for the Jews scattered throughout the various ghettos of our cities.

In the church we admired the ceiling canvas depicting the Immaculate Conception in glory, a work by Angelo Mozzillo (1736-1806) in 1794, still undergoing restoration for years; a decorated wooden pulpit reading <Xaverius Dalia fecit A.D. MDCCCLXXXIII>; a funerary plaque in the center of the floor, from the year 1848 which commemorated the burial of the Brothers of the Congregation. Currently, a marble stoup dated 1602 is still visible.

In 1974, when removing the floor for restoration work, remains of the underlying walls were discovered, belonging to the ancient church with remains of paintings on the wall and fragments of writing.

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Prof Pasquale Moschiano

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For further and more detailed information on the history of the Church and the Confraternity of the Immaculate we refer to the reconstruction made by Prof Moschiano in the magazine "Agora" and which can be viewed here.

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