Church of Saint Timothy
The church of Saint Timothy stands in the historical centre of Ploaghe, in the quarter formerly called su chirriu de santu Timidei[i].
It was built again, on the ruins of a previous homonymous church, about the half of XVII century, which can be assumed because since in 1553, during the pastoral visit of Monsignor Alepus, archbishop of Sassari who, intentioned to put into practice the reforms ruled by the Trento Council, during the years 1553-1555 started a pastoral visit in the parish depending on his Diocese, blessed a painting of Saint Timothy to be used, perhaps, to a church already built in that place. We have sources starting from 1643, when Vincenzo Riqueri, Ploaghe rector, gave a lot of money to carry about one hundred sand wagons to renew the church walls (Spanedda, 1989); in 1655, when the rector himself and Joe Fadda Chessa agreed a legacy to complete its building (Spanedda, 1989); in 1688, when Bishop Morillo, visitor and Inquisitor of the Holy Office in the Sardinian Kingdom, called to Ploaghe, marked that the 1686-1687 incomes had been used to finish the roof, to the church door and to buy some vestments (Spanedda, 1989); and in 1706, when on 30th March, monsignor Giuseppe Siccardo, during his pastoral visit, ordered to restore the church walls (Spanedda, 1989).
On 24th January, 1850, the Town Council and Junta of Ploaghe met in the church of Saint Timothy since there was no Town Hall.
Further sources got to us, from 1869, in the so-called “Magliona File”. It is about a test of the works performed by master Gavino Magliona to pave with stones the strada Lunga (now Roma street) and four traverse conducenti allo stradone[ii], and other bettering works in the town of Ploaghe, whose total cost has been kept:
Demolizione muri, orto Congiatu, muro di Fiori e trasporto rottami
Demolizione gradinata chiesa Valverde, e apertura di una finestra nella chiesa di S. Timoteo
Ricostruzione di detti muri con pietra da taglio adattato all’uso
Lavagna per la soglia della chiesa di Valverde
Muratura in cantoni pell’apertura della finestra nella chiesa di San Timoteo e per il rinnovo al gradinato
Concime scavato e trasportato fuori paese come da medie misure prese in diversi siti, e maggiormente nella contrada sopra e sotto riva del dottor Camboni
Calzatura muri ove si operano forti scavi
Totale avere dell’impresa: 4320,94[iii].
From this file we deduce that the church in those years had to be under Common possession.
It has a single nave, quite small, with a wood roof, and it has no sacristy. Its belfry is also small and sail-shaped. Inside there is an altar in golden and inlaid wood.
This church, several times excommunicated, was used in different ways: since 1823 and for about forty years, it was one of the seat of Normal school, in 1904 seat of the horse society and of the town veterinary.
In 1930, with a donation by Sir Giovanni Maria Pulina and his wife Chiara Spanu, the façade could be renewed, as it can be read on a marble stab over the door.
At present the church is used as parish hall.
[i] the District of Saint Timothy
[ii] side streets leading to the main street
[iii] Demolition of walls, Congiatu’s garden, Fiori’s wall and conveyance of scraps/Demolition stairs of Valverde church and opening of a window in the church of Saint Timothy/Rebuilding of the first mentioned walls with mud cement plastering included/Rebuilding of the stairs with squared stones/Slab for the threshold of the church of Valverde/Blocks wall to the perimeter of the church of Saint Timothy and to renew the stairs/Manure dug and brought out of town in several measures taken in different sites, and above all in the country up and down doctor Camboni’s house/Reinforcing of the walls where they dug deep/Total pay to the enterprise: L. 4320,94.