The parish church of Ss. Cosmas and Damian

A meeting of the General Community Council was held in the sacred building in 1234. Other documents from the Rigestum Comunis Albe, also from the same century, confirm meetings of the city council "in ecclesia sancti damiani".

Additional thirteenth-century acts are remarkable: 1256 - in a document, reported in Rigestum, "actum in porticu ecclesiae Sancti Damiani" is recorded; 1297 - from a document in the Capitular Archives, interpreted by scholar Giuseppe Vernazza, we learn that the Chapter of canons appointed priest Antonio, son of Simonetta di Gorzano, as rector and minister of the church of S. Damiano. Again from the aforementioned Rigestum we learn that, in the same sacred building, George I and Andrea marquises of Ceva obtained the albese citis in 1252.

There are also interesting fourteenth-century documents in which the church in question is mentioned: 1316 - in a document in the Chapter Archive Iacopo, minister and rector of the church of S. Damiano; 1325 - in the general register of the Diocese of Alba contained in the Synod known as the "Isnardi Constitutions" from the name of the then-reigning bishop of Alba, Franciscan Guglielmo Isnardi da Civitella, the "Ecclesia sanctorum Cosmi et Damiani de Alba" appears among the "Capelle Capituli Albensis"; 1330 - in a document from the Capitular Archives (testamentary) the cemetery of S. Damiano; in addition, the sacred building receives various legacies from Verdina, widow of Vinado di Cerretto;
1345 - another deed in the Chapter Archives is notarized in the aforementioned cemetery; 1380 - from a document cited by the aforementioned Vernazza the church, governed by Archpriest Neveis, still appears to be subject to the Chapter of the canons of the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. The same situation of dependence is confirmed during the 15th century.

In 1441 Msgr. Alerino Rembaudi bishop of Alba entrusted and mandated presbyter Antonio de Henriozio, rector of the church of Ss. Cosmas and Damian, to absolve on his part presbyter Stefano Rubo provost of Alba, requesting to be absolved from the excommunication he had incurred by being absent beyond the dictates contained in the synodal constitutions.

The aforementioned presbyter Anthony immediately reported to the prelate that he had complied with his request.

The Modern Age

During the sixteenth century, the sacred building is repeatedly visited by bishops and apostolic visitors.

In 1573 the bishop of Alba Msgr. Leonardo Marino, in a pastoral visit, ordered that all the altars except the high altar be demolished, deeming them no longer adequate. In addition, the prelate ordered that the Crucifix be removed from its location, that it be placed in the sacristy, and that it be replaced in the church by another one of better appearance to be placed on the beam above the high altar.

Bishop Gerolamo Regazzoni of Bergamo (active at the Council of Trent), on an apostolic visit in 1577, stipulated that this parish, as well as those of S. Giovanni and S. Maria del Ponte, be limited to distributing only communions and performing burials, leaving the other offices of care of souls to the archpriesthood of the cathedral.

In 1590 the bishop of Alba Msgr. Alberto Capriano, on a pastoral visit, gave orders that the tombs in the ancient church be sealed and that the roofing slabs not protrude beyond the floor level.

Further pastoral visits of prelates to this cultic seat are mainly documented in the years 1634, 1643, 1683 and 1698.

Renovation work on the church was requested by the bishops in 1634 and 1643; so too were some additions ordered in 1698.

The eighteenth century

In the second half of the 18th century, the complete reconstruction of the sacred building took place.

Between 1760 and 1762 the church was rebuilt from the foundations by the will of Canon Canon Canon Giuseppe Maria Caratti expressed in 1759, based on the design of architect Carlo Francesco Rangone, count of Montelupo Albese.

Between 1780 and 1786, the bell tower was built to the design of Carlo Emanuele Rangone (son of Carlo Francesco).

In 1788, in his own will, Count Carlo Francesco Rangone earmarked 120 liras "for one year to cover the bell tower with tolla".

The nineteenth century

In 1806, during the Napoleonic Empire, a register of the parish's fixed assets and income was compiled.

In 1820, by decree of the bishop of Alba Msgr. Giovanni Antonio Nicola, the parish church of Ss. Cosmas and Damian became completely independent from the chapter of canons of the cathedral.