Dear Friends,                                               

                                                                                 

La Chiesa di Monastero dates back to 650 AD and is where many of us celebrated our Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations and Weddings. Although we are 4,100 miles away, it holds a special place in our hearts and welcomes us back when we return to visit family and friends.

 

Unfortunately, a few years ago, a landslide that occurred in the vicinity of the church caused substantial structural damage to the flooring, the arch above the altar, as well as its columns. For the safety of its parishioners, the church was closed on September 20th, 2012. The parish of Gravago commissioned a general survey to determine the cause of the structural issues. From November 2013 through February 2014, several geological and structural surveys have been completed and a protective reticular scaffolding has been erected above the altar, allowing the reopening of the church.

 

The community of Bardi, as well as our friends and families in Gravago (A.S.D. Val Noveglia-Sant’Anna, Consorzio dei Funghi, etc), has already raised funds to help with some of the costs of the necessary structural repairs. The result of the surveys show that it's necessary to reinforce the church’s foundation through the construction of concrete

micro-piles (drilled, load-bearing elements of small diameter which help the foundation reach the most resistant layer of the ground). Micro-piles are a very expensive technique, but in this case, they are the only effective method of solving the church’s structural issues. The estimated cost to install these micropillers around the foundation is about 200,000 euros (two-hundred thousand euros), or approximately $250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand dollars). For a detailed report, please visit our website www.wix.com/cms727/chiesadimonastero and select the 'Report' tab.

 

For this reason, we are asking for your financial support to keep La Chiesa di Monastero opened for future generations.

 

Please make donation payable to: Church of Monastero

                                                     

                                                      Mail to: Maria Sbuttoni

                                                      PO Box 832

                                                      Plandome, NY 11030

 

 

With warmest regards,

 

The Friends of la Chiesa di Monastero Committee                                                                         Gino and Angela Barbuti, Joseph and Ann Bertorelli, Norma Bonaiuto,

Denise Bertorelli-Cappellini, Anna and Dorino Civetta, Anita Costa

Luciano and Maria Sbuttoni, Peter Sbuttoni, Maria Scarimbolo,

Gamil and Maria Soury, Mary Villani, Rose Villani

Luciano and Laura Zazzera

  

 

To print a copy of the above letter, please click here.