The church of San Gavino in Bancali was built as the fruit of the 1934 People’s Mission to ensure religious assistance to the peasants who lived in the countryside. Its originator was the unforgettable Father Manzella who, before the church was built, officiated at Mass and the various Sacraments in the houses that hosted him from time to time. Father Manzella, pandering to the desire of many bancales, after receiving the paternal blessing of the then Archbishop of Sassari Monsignor Arcangelo Mazzotti, engaged in the establishment of a Committee for the construction of the Church, donating out of his own pocket the first coins for the work, and participating in the laying of the foundation stone on June 14, 1936. Only after 20 years could the work be completed, and on October 25, 1955, the then Archbishop Arcangelo Mazzotti canonically erected the new Parish of St. Gavino Martyr in Bancali.
The church, dedicated to St. Gavino perhaps as the wish of the donor of the land on which it stands, noblewoman Gavina Pintus, has returned to its former glory after a recent restoration. Inside it houses on the high altar the simulacra of Saints Gavinus, Proto and Januarius, the work of Master Giovanni Pulli, who watch over the faithful and guard and display the Most Holy Eucharistic Body of Jesus, kept in the Holy Tabernacle located in the high altar at their feet. Also noteworthy is the statue of the Queen of Bancali, by Master Elio Pulli, along with the large crucifix, also by Pulli, as well as another large crucifix, by Master Eugenio Tavolara.
The churchyard in front of the parish church can be considered an open-air museum, housing as many as 12 works of art by local sculptor Stefano Chessa, which help arouse in the faithful the spirit of recollection that then allows for a true spiritual experience.
