Our Lady of Carmel Church and Convent occupy a prominent spot along the Birgu Waterfront, namely the stretch between the Palace of the Captain of the Galleys and the Order’s Bakery and Treasury compound. Seafarers contributed to the building and running of this church for years on end. Indeed, the fronting parvis used to be linked to the adjoining waterfront by two flights of steps. These were removed after World War II and said parvis is now only accessible from Carmel Street.
Construction of the Church and Convent
During the closing decades of the 16th century a group of Carmelite Friars from the Valletta Community extended their services to Birgu. This mission intensified in 1582, when the Church of Our Lady of Monserrat and a nearby house were loaned to them. These two properties were eventually returned to their owners following the building of the church and friary along the Birgu Waterfront in 1611. The undertaking of this project was orchestrated by Friar Ascanio Minucci and relied on the donations of the seafarers, in particular the crew of the galleys.
Church Façade
The Mannerist façade of the early 17th century suffered extensive damages during World War II and was subsequently heavily reconstructed. The end result is far less pleasing since the greater part of the original elements were not included in the said reconstruction. The centrally placed door is flanked by columns, while the remaining blank spaces are perforated by niches and windows. Recently, the window opening above the door has been remodelled into a closed timber balcony. This central axis is crowned by a pediment.
Ironically, the secondary façade located on the rear side of the church is more interesting. It preserves a bellcote and a 1786 niche in honour of Our Lady of Carmel.
Church Interior
Prior to its partial collapse during World War II, this church boasted of five altars, namely a main altar and two side altars along each flank of the aisle. The choir is defined by an arch supported by Tuscan-Doric pilasters. It has a square plan, is roofed over by a dome, and features the reredos of the titular painting. Its sides are dressed by wooden choir stalls, while the central part is taken up by the main altar. The surviving lateral altars were marked by Baroque reredoses. Likewise, the aisle was formerly roofed over by a stone vault. This was replaced by a flat concrete roof during the post-war reconstruction.
From Friary to Nunnery
The Carmelite Friars were constrained to relinquish this church and friary in 1652. One year later, this complex was handed over to the Congregation of Orators (see St Mary of Angels Church and Convent, Birgu) who kept offering their services fom this church until their winding up at the turn of the 20th century. Meanwhile, in 1886, Blessed Katerina Triani founded a community of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the adjoining convent. Eventually, the said Congregation of Sisters vacated this convent in the year 2000.
Pious Manifestations during the Holy Week
The Confraternity of the Galleys established in this church used to organise the Black Procession. This was held after sunset and was characterised by slaves dragging heavy chains tied to their feet. Then, on Easter Saturday, the processional effigy of the Risen Christ was paraded with the accompaniment of a traditional marching band playing to St Lawrence Parish Church.
Milestones
1611-52: building and use of church and convent by Carmelite Friars
1653: handing over of church to the Congregation of the Oratorians
1671: enlargement of church and replacement of timber roof with stone vault
1763: issue of decree re payment of six tari to same church when loading / unloading goods on adjoining quay
1843: immaterialisation of Governor Henry Frederick Bouverie’s plan to purchase this church due to popular resistance
1886-2000: foundation of the Community of Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
1940: infliction of extensive damage by enemy action
1962: reconstruction and reuse as store for St Lawrence Feast’s Street decorations
