Militello in Val di Catania. Chiesa confraternale of San Michele Arcangelo (or of the Santi Angeli Custodi)

The 16th century Church of San Michele Arcangelo was rebuilt in 1657 and dedicated to the Guardian Angel. With a single nave, it was restored after 1693. The walls and the roof are rich in Rococo-style stuccos, around the ceramic floor of Caltagirone (1768). In 1754 two altars were built, dedicated to San Michele Arcangelo, to the left, and to San Raffaele Arcangelo, to the right, whose paintings are preserved in Santa Maria della Stella, like the pipe organ that was in the choir.
A "charitable" story
In the church dedicated to San Michele Arcangelo, in 1500, the hospital headed by the Compagnia dei Bianchi, or of the Charity, was located, until in 1628 the hospital headquarters was built near the church of Sant’Antonio Abate. The church of San Michele fell into disuse to such an extent that it was traded, in 1639, for an olive grove. It was only thanks to the alms of the pious militans that it was possible to rebuild the church in 1657, dedicating it to the Guardian Angel. Here the Humble and Charitable Congregation of Mary was instituted of the Agonizzanti, formed by twelve nobles and twelve representatives of the workers (such as the Twelve Apostles), who had just the obligation to assist the dying and to provide for the burial and masses for the poor.