The reconstruction of a church in a small community (Bellinzago counted 2821 inhabitants in 1837) is not a usual operation. For its realisation, to collect materials is not enough: the religious sensibility must be prepared. The present parish church of Bellinzago was reconstructed by its inhabitants, solicited by don Serafino Bellini. The design was entrusted to the architect Alessandro Anotnelli, who during the ceremony, in a symbolic action, set the first brick. The works were started on April 12 (or 13), 1837. San Clemente church is built on the ancient, sacred area, documented from the “Consignationes” of the year 1347. The antonellian parish church, was consecrated by Giacomo Filippo Gentile, bishop of Novara, on November 17, 1844. The central nave, consecrated by the bishop Carlo Bescapè on September 20, 1595, the Baroque façade , the belfry dated 1827 were not altered. The only thing Alessandro Antonelli did was to build the lateral naves and a groined vault surmounted by an elegant dome. The lateral aisle, that goes from the crucifix altar to the Baptisery was completed further on, because till then it supported the parish residence. The parish church of Bellinzago, according to Alessandro Antonelli’s designs dated August, 1888, was supposed to be built in a different way, demanding elevated financial efforts and therefore remained only on paper ( “Fulfilment and Completion Projects “ today conserved in the parish archives of Bellinzago). Its anterior part should have been extended, while its magnificent façade, with a six-column porch was supposed to be surmounted by a harmonic grandstand. Where today stands the Corpus Domini altar and the scurolo where the relics of the martyrs Pacifico and Cristina are kept, the Fabbrica should have left space for two large chapels surmounted by domes. Slim and daring, the belfry should have been built behind the Choir, among sacristies, reaching a 105 metres height. The porches should have extended up to the De Medici nursery school’s wall, creating another closed square on the church’s left. The first part of the parish residence was built according to Antonelli’s designs in 1844, as well as the Confraternita del SS. Sacramento oratory. The house was amplified in1877 in order to build the new one, with the intent to save space for a further amplification of the church. The cross vault extension was made in a bad looking way, though the Santini scurolo ( created by Antonelli’s son, Costanzo, 1891-1892) doesn’t appear from the inside.
Antonelli wasn’t just the creator of domes, houses and churches. In Bellinzago he also left his sign on social works, such as the De Medici nursery school.