Lost Church Discovered North of Rome

SCAVI DELLA CHIESA DEI MINATORI DE LA BIANCA.

This past summer it was a pleasure to participate in the excavation of this recently discovered church, lost after many centuries, north of Rome.

And by the grace of God we were the first people to pray inside this church after hundreds of years.  Prayers were offered in Latin.

Notice which direction the altar faced?

East is the direction that the altar, priest and faithful faced.  And notice the original floor?

It was an honor to spend time at this dig near the town of Tolfa, north of Rome - thanks, Livio!

Next to the old church were also discovered tombs and even Etruscan ruins - they settled here because there was fresh water in the ground and good hunting.  

The church is believed to be medieval.  It was constructed on a hill, overlooking the distant sea.