The population of Senglea grew exponentially in the aftermath of the Great Siege of 1565. To this effect, in 1525, the old church of St Julian on the northeast side of the same peninsula was decreed vice-parish within St Lawrence Parish in Birgu. Likewise, the need for a bigger church became increasingly pressing, and a spacious church on the site of the present complex started being built in no time. Its completion triggered the establishment of the Senglea Parish in 1581. Obviously enough, the novel parish was dedicated to the Birth of Our Lady in commemoration of the victorious outcome of the Great Siege. Indeed, its feast day (8 September), is still popularly known as Victory Day.

World War II inflicted heavy damages to this church, to the extent that the present fabric is mostly post-war reconstruction.

The Old Church

Initially, the church comprised the high altar and six side altars. This symmetrical layout was upset with the addition of new side altars, and the Senglean community engaged the services of Tommaso Dingli to enlarge the church with the addition of two transepts and a choir.  Works lingered on for some two decades and included the rebuilding of the façade and the construction of a dome. Eventually, architect Claudio Duanti and master mason Francesco Zerafa undertook the remodelling of the transepts and choir in 1715. Other structural works carried out between 1784 and 1786 envisaged the crafting of a chapel for the Blessed Sacrament, while the dome was rebuilt in 1926.

War Damages

World War II proved to be very cruel with this church. The first significant damages were inflicted during the blitz of HMS Illustrious on 16 January 1941. The following months witnessed further losses, but the fatal blow came in April 1942 when the dome and the choir were reduced to a pile of rubble.

The Present Church

Restoration and reconstruction works were taken in hand soon after the end of the war. The initial plans encompassed a completely new building, but following careful reconsideration it was decided to retain all standing elements. Resultantly, architects Joseph Caruana and Joseph Mallia Milanes were entrusted with the restoration of all extant sections and the rebuilding of the demolished components. Evidently, this mammoth project consumed several years, and was newly consecrated by Archbishop Michael Gonzi on 24 August 1957.

Church Façade

The present façade has been designed by Victor Anastasi, whereas its construction was directed by master mason Joseph Sammut. Its central segment consists of a spacious door flanked by twin Corinth columns. The latter are placed on lofty bases and stretch all the way to the architrave. The wall elevation between the door and said architrave is taken up by an open balcony, while the overlying pediment is crowned by a marble statue of Our Lady Queen of Peace by Emvin Cremona. In turn, this composition is flanked by secondary doors and by the fairly plain plinths of the belltowers. The latter are topped by robust pyramids.

Church Interior

The church follows a Latin-cross plan, namely the main aisle, two transepts and a choir. The main aisle is subdivided in four bays and is roofed over by quadripartite vaults. Corresponding vaults rise above the transepts and the choir. These converge on the high altar and support the dome. The subdivisions of the main aisle are reflected in the flanking side aisles, each roofed by a dome. Prominent elements of the wall elevations and the entire pavement are covered in marble. Other marble works include the altars, the main altar’s canopy, the baptism font, and the pulpit.

Works of Art

The church treasures several works of art, including the titular statue and underlying pedestal, platform and plinth. It is also endowed by a host of relevant paintings, including canvases by Francesco Zahra. Equally interesting are the series of reliefs on the pillars of the side aisles. The church is further embellished with a rich assortment of silverware during solemn feasts.

Milestones

1581: building of the first church on present site and establishment of Senglea’s Parish

17th Century: extensive structural alterations

18th Century: remodelling of choir and transepts

1786: elevation to the dignity of Collegiate Church

1921: elevation to the dignity of a Minor Basilica

1940-42: infliction of heavy damages by enemy bombings

Post 1945: restoration, reconstruction and embellishment programme