Cappella di San Defendente e San Rocco - 1

In the aforementioned book by Don Luigi Bo on the history of the churches of Montechiaro I also found a nice review on the church of San Defendente and San Rocco, I report some news: "I have not found a document or writing, which says the year of erection of the church of S. Defendente. In 1668 it already existed (the sign outside the church mentions the beginning of the seventeenth century). The place that is the current one, was outside the enclosure, near the door of Maresco.It was a small church with a nave, equipped with the necessary for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice. After that time, mention is made of the church of St. Defendant in all the reports for subsequent Pastoral Visits In 1715 the church was reduced to a bad state, profaned by French soldiers in the time of the occupation of Montechiaro for part of those troops, lasted for almost three years.The need was felt to renew it in its entirety, and it was blessed on 1 November 1715 by the rector of St. Mary Magdalene (in Montechiaro) with permission of Chapter Vicar of Asti, Mons. Icardi. For this church there were many benefactors and each year the priors gave the accounts to the parish priest of Maresco. The accounts that are preserved in the archive date back to 1797. In that year some parishioners of Maresco became promoters for the construction of an altar to be dedicated to St. Rocco. In 1799 the church was provided with the current statue of St. Rocco. With the material of the church of S. Vittore which was demolished as already mentioned, a second chapel with an altar was built in honor of S. Vittore adjoining that of S. Rocco. The current sacristy is from 1898. "These are just some historical notes