Col. Sir Edward Stock Hill, KCB MP

One English family who earned themselves a place in Taormina's rich history is that of Sir Edward and Lady Hill. Sir Edward was the owner of a property known as Santa Catarina (now a hotel) which included a small chapel. Before he bought the house at the end of the 19th century, services for the English speaking community were held in the private houses of the wealthy and of the then British Consul in Messina. Sir Edward subsequently offered his private chapel for services and when that eventually became too small Mrs Dashwood, owner of the Villa San Pancrazio, offered the use of her large drawing room for the Sunday services. Sir Edward then decided to buy some land and build a proper church. The architect was his son-in-law, Inigo Triggs. The church was completed in the Spring of 1922. The first Churchwardens were the then Duke of Bronte and Sir Edward's daughter, Mabel Hill. Mabel Hill is still talked of to this day as a benefactress of Taormina, having set up a school of embroidery for the town's womenfolk, in order for them to be able to earn a small living for themselves. She was also instrumental in helping to open the Salesian Community, dedicated to service for the young, in Taormina in 1911. The original Salesian building, in the town centre, was named San Giorgio in honour of Mabel Hill who had not only made a personal request to the then Pope Pius X to this end but also donated the property for the building to be erected..