The present church dates to the 1960s and follows the designs of Professor R.V. Galea. This replaced an 18th–century structure that was destroyed by enemy bombardment in 1942. The earliest church on this site was constructed in 1462 and was dedicated to Our Lady of Monserrat. Originally, its façade was on the opposite side and the floor of the resultant construction was several metres lower.

The first two churches

The earliest church on site was funded by the De Guevara and Inguanez families. As a result, the heraldic coat of arms of these families were sculpted on the front door. Two lateral altars were added in 1620. These were dedicated to the Holy Trinity and St Homobonus respectively.

The church was rebuilt in the 18th century on the initiative of the noblewoman Lucrezia Gauci Falzon. It had a circular plan and was dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The church was adorned by symbolic representations of the Holy Trinity and by an angel on either side of the titular painting.

The Façade

The façade is characterised by a vertical arrangement of four elements, namely the door, window, pediment, and the crowning bellcote.

The Interior

The church consists of a three-bayed nave and a presbytery defined by a separating arch. All stone sculptures were produced by Ġiġi Depasquale, whereas the main altar was painted by Rafel Bonniċi Calì. The church is also adorned by a white marble altar.

Other information

One of its bells fell into the Victualling Yard following the 1942 bombardment. It dated to 1523, and the Superintendent of the Shipyard handed it over to Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi in 1944. Eventually, this bell was passed over to the then newly built Santa Luċija Parish Church but was returned to Birgu and exhibited in the Parish Museum in 1995.

Important Milestones

1462:  building of first church on site by the De Guevara and Inguanez families

1582-1611:  transferred to the Carmelite Friars until the construction of their Order’s church nearby

1784:  rebuilt on the initiative of Lucrezia Gauci Falzon

1898: enlargement of sacristy

1942: infliction of heavy damages by enemy bombing

1960: building of present church

1970: used as Headquarters by the Catholic Action Movement

2022: handing over to the Greek Catholic Community