Located on the eastern outskirts of Moschiano, in the Capomoschiano district, on the road that leads to Forino, it is, as the name suggests, dedicated to Santo Eligio Vescovo, a French saint who lived in the 6th century (click here for more information)

The church is relatively small, rectangular in shape, with an area of about 20 square meters and was once well outside the urban area halfway between the last houses of Moschiano and the area called "Svelanzo" where today there is the connection with the road that leads to Carita' and the external variant and was considered as a point of reference for summer walks and/or for young people's romantic dates.

Of very ancient origins (in fact, mention is made of it already in the pastoral visits of Bishop Lancelotti in 1632 as witnessed in the documents of the Episcopal Curia of Nola)  it is private property belonging to the heirs of Cava Michele who left it as an inheritance to his four daughters Gaetana, Maria, Domenica and Rosa and who in turn left it as an inheritance to the Caliendo, Mascolo, Venezia and Paolillo families .

Most likely the ancient structure was restored by Cava Michele's ancestors as transmitted orally by members of the Cava family and as evidenced by an engraving on a niche in the facade found during the restoration work due to the earthquake of 23 November 1980 where the letters “P.D.C.” are engraved on it. and the date 1847 as well as the remains of a majolica mosaic depicting the Saint, already visible before the restoration, and the writing "In Devozione Domenico Cava".

The story handed down in the Cava family asserts that Domenico Cava had rebuilt the church following a grace received through the intercession of the Saint for a recovery from a cyst in his neck.

The church suffered considerable damage during the 1980 earthquake with the partial collapse of the roof and gable and deep damage along the walls. In recent years it has been restored by Rosa Adua Caliendo (widow of Gilberto Manfredi), daughter of Cava Gaetana and her sons Carmine and Salvatore Manfredi.

The church, which has a large courtyard in front closed by side walls and a wrought iron gate, has inside an altar in limestone masonry enthroned by a niche in which the wooden statue of the Saint was located and on the sides it has two semi-arches cantilever on which the horizontal plane rests.

During the restoration, to confirm the existence of a previous structure, a more recent local gray tuff was discovered under the walls given the original structure in limestone. Furthermore, during the excavation of the avenue, remains of foundations and elevated walls were found, so as to suggest that the original structure of the church was longer and that it was moved back for unknown reasons.

Until the beginning of the 80s the church was opened to the public only on a few occasions such as Palm Sunday when it was intended as a starting point for the Palm procession up to the Parish Church of the Incoronata or on the occasion of Corpus Domini when it was set up a decorated altar for the Eucharistic Blessing.

The wooden statue of Sant'Eligio has deteriorated over the years and has suffered damage in various parts as well as more or less accurate and superficial restorations including its yellow painting.

Members of the Cava family say that one of their relatives, angry at the loss of a mule, damaged the statue that was temporarily kept in the home of one of them because the small church was unusable.

This fact would confirm the reason for the Saint's broken arms.

During the restoration work it was noticed that the arms were attached with very ancient canvas and the removal of the surface paint allowed the finely decorated miter and mantle to be brought to light, comparable in design to that of the statues of San Felice and Paolino in Nola.

Family members remember two celebrations held in the church: the wedding of Domenica Cava and the funeral rite of Pacia Fiore, Cava's wife Michele, which took place on 12 March 1965.

To date, the restoration works are still underway and the statue of the Saint is kept in Rosa Caliendo's home.

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Information kindly provided by Carmine Manfredi fu Gilberto

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