| It was built in the late eleventh century by Richard Seneschal, the first feudal lord of Joy, and dedicated to St. Peter. In the twelfth century took the name of Santa Maria Maggiore, which is preserved today.
In 1764 the church was attempted following a revolt organized by Giannantonio Monte; survived: an ancient sarcophagus then used as a sink, two lions in half-relief that can be seen on the sides of the door, and an "Ecce Homo" the fifteenth century by John De Rocha, now walled up to the left of the third altar on the right entering the church. The reconstruction work was entrusted to the architect Pasquale Margolfo.
In 1844, San Filippo Blacks were elected to new patron saint of joy, instead of Santa Sofia, and celebrations in his honor lasted from April 22 to May 2.
In the night between 16 and 17 December 1857, the church suffered extensive damage after an earthquake.
Between 1937 and 1940 the church was adorned with paintings and decorations during the various archpriesthood Don Luigi Tosco.
On 23 February 1942 the steeple fell below the chapel of S. Philip Blacks and the vestry, buried under the rubble Canon assistant pastor Don Giovanni Prisciantelli.
In the crypt, was buried the body of Prince Charles III de 'Mari, today you can still see the arms of a noble family. |