In the early 16th century, the Confraternity of the Annunciation of Our Lady offered its church and a sizeable house to the Domenican Friars. The latter accepted and took possession on 4 February 1528. Since the house was too small to function as a convent, a purposely-designed friary started being built in 1535. In due course, it was modified and extended on several occasions, in particular during the reconstruction of the adjoining church during the early 17th century. Eventually, this compound was heavily damaged during the blitz on HMS Illustrious, on 19 January 1941.

The Friary

The extant convent was designed by architect Edwin England Sant Fournier. Its first stone was laid and blessed by Provincial Edmond Klimeck on 27 July 1952, while the solemn inauguration and blessing were officiated by Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi on 23 October 1954. The Dominican Community, who had in the meantime been hosted in the Inquisitor’s Palace and a nearby dwelling, relocated to the friary on 4 December 1954.

The friary compound incorporates the Oratory of the Confraternity of Our Lady of the Rosary, accessed through the cloister.

The Old Church

By the early 17th century, the Dominican Friars decided to replace the church given to them in 1528 by a new one. The foundation stone was blessed by Inquisitor Fabio Chigi on 23 March 1636, while Bishop Miguel Juan Balaguer Camara inaugurated and blessed the new church on 1657. A raft of embellishment projects was undertaken in due course. A towering dome was also built during the early 20th century. The latter was eventually destroyed during enemy bombing in 1941.

Surprisingly, the adjoining bell tower survived World War II practically intact. It was nonetheless demolished and replaced by the present structure as part of the post-war reconstruction project.

The New Church

Soon after the reconstruction of the friary, the Dominican Community embarked on the reconstruction project of the church. The foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi on 27 March 1955, while Provincial Serafin Zarb OP presided over the inauguration and blessing ceremony on 20 August 1960.  Eventually, Archbishop Gonzi consecrated it on the following 3 December.

The church is 34 metres long and 20 metres wide, and follows a Latin cross shape, namely a central aisle, two transepts and a choir. The central aisle is organised in three bays by Corinthian pillars, and is complemented by corresponding side aisles, each roofed by a dome. Quadripartite vaults roof over the central aisle, the transepts and the choir. They centre on an airy dome.

The Church Façade

The façade is structured in three bays by Corinthian pillars. Each bay is perforated by a door and fronted by a balustraded parvis. The main door is crowned by the coat of arms of the Dominican Order, but the overlying monumental screen is by far the most prominent element of the composition. A towering belltower stands on the southern side.

Works of Art

The collection of interesting works of art adorning this church includes the titular painting of the Annunciation of Our Lady, the statue of St Dominic and underlying pedestal, platform and plinth, the statue of Our Lady of the Rosary, the tabernacle of the Feast of the Holy Eucharist, and the antependium of the main altar.

Milestones

1445: foundation of the Confraternity of the Annunciation of Mary in Birgu

1528: handing over of the Church of the Annunciation and nearby house to the Dominican Friars

1530-80: adopted as Birgu Parish Church since St Lawrence Church was employed as Conventual Church by the Order

1636:  reconstruction of the church

1941-42: church and convent damaged extensively by enemy bombing

1960: blessing and consecration of extant church