The Church of the Ascension in Cadenabbia was consecrated in Michaelmas Day 1891, and 29th September 2016 therefore marks our 125th anniversary.

Join us in celebrating 125 years of this beautiful Church, situated on the shores of Lake Como, by supporting our 125th Anniversary Appeal.  We desperately need your support.  The regular congregation has dwindled from around 200 families in the days of the Grand Tour in the early 1800s (before the current Church was built) to around 10 families today, not all of whom are resident on the Lake.  The Church is used for wedding blessings during the summer months, and wedding donations has kept the Church afloat over the last few years, but the small congregation is unable to manage the €100,000 of major repairs that are needed to maintain the fabric of this jewel of a church.  Without an appeal on our 125th anniversary there is a real danger that the Church will be closed.

In particular, the wall decoration in "sgrafitto" in pre-Raphaelite style is described of being of national importance, and is in dire need of specialist restoration. Full details of the required maintenance works can be provided on request in the form of our last Quinquennial Report in 2013.  In the opinion of the Diocesan surveyor, Tony Redman MA, BSc, FRICS, IHBC, "this is ... a stunning building and probably one of the most significant buildings in the Church of England, certainly one of the most beautiful.  It is worth spending money to keep this building open."

Donating to the 125th Anniversay Appeal can be made through this JustGiving page, via the Diocese in Europe (our Diocese). Once you donate, JustGiving will send your money directly to the Diocese who will in turn pass your kind donation to us. It also allows the Diocese to claim Gift Aid for us on your donation.

Many thanks for your kind support to save this beautiful Church from closure.