The small private church of San Giuseppe was built around 1650. In October of 1652 the Archbishop of Brindisi, Lorenzo Rainosso, conducted his pastoral visit to Mesagne and in his report mentions for the first time the Church of San Giuseppe.
In addition, the same source states that the church was built by Antonio Panaro. The building has a simple exterior apart from a noble crest on the arch of the main entrance and a small bell tower. The interior consists of a single nave and houses a picture of Saint Joseph on the altar. The church is almost always referenced in subsequent pastoral visits; two of which provide us with additional information. The visit of 1725 by the Archbishop Andrea Maddalena informs us that, in the year of 1725, the church was the property of Caterino Francone. The visit of 1744, by Archbishop Antonio Sersale, states that the Church of San Giuseppe suffered damage as a result of the earthquake from the previous year; as were most of the churches in Mesagne.
Bibliography
Luigi Greco, 2001 Storia di Mesagne in età barocca vol III L’architettura sacra nella storia dell’arte, Schena Editore
