The origins of this church are lost in the mist of time. Most likely, the first church dedicated to St Lawrence on this site was erected by Spanish merchantmen during the Aragonese tenure (1283-1530). As a matter of fact, the earliest reference to a church in honour of St Lawrence in this maritime locality survives in a 1432 manuscript at the Mdina Cathedral Archives.

The Present Church

The greater part of the present building dates to the 17th century and is based on the designs of Lorenzo Gafà. Bishop Miguel Jeronimo de Molina laid the first stone on 11 May 1681, whereas its official opening took place on 10 August 1697. Eventually, the church was consecrated by Bishop Gaspare Gori-Mancini on 24 October 1723.

Church Façade

The extant monumental façade was modified by Romano Carappechia in the 18th century. It is divided in five bays by Corinthian columns and is perforated by a central door fronted by an elevated parvis. Two niches holding the statues of St Paul and St Lawrence respectively take up the adjoining bays. The outermost bays form part of the lofty belltowers. The one at the south end dates to the early 20th century since the original composition comprised one belltower.

Church Interior

The Baroque idiom dominates the interior ambience of the church. With an approximate length and width of 39 metres and 22 metres respectively, it has a Latin cross plan, namely an aisle, two transepts and a choir. The central aisle is divided in three bays. Its quadripartite vaults lit up by large windows complements this arrangement, which is in turn reflected in the domed side chapels. The choir and the transepts are also roofed over by corresponding vaults. Their extremities form the base of the lofty dome rebuilt in 1954 on the designs of Prof. R.V. Galea since the former construction was destroyed by enemy bombing. The Collegiate Church of St Lawrence is embellished by a notable corpus of marble works, including 10 altars, the baptistery and numerous monuments. Its floor and pilasters are equally covered with slabs of decorative marble.

Works of Art

As expected, the Collegiate Church of St Lawrence treasures a noteworthy collection of artworks. These include the titular painting showing the martyrdom of St Lawrence by Mattia Preti, and the titular statue and underlying, pedestal, platform and plinth. The pipe-organ loft and the pulpit manifest outstanding woodwork craftmanship, while the church is further enriched by fine works of silverware on special occasions. The latter includes the antependium of the main altar.

Milestones

1432: reference to the Church of St Lawrence in the then maritime suburb

1508: reconstruction of the church

1530-71: utilisation as Conventual Church by the Order

1532: infliction of extensive losses due to fire outbreak and subsequent reconstruction and enlargement

1570s-1798: employment by the respective Inquisitors as main seat during pious festivities

1681: laying of the first stone of the new church as per Lorenzo Gafà’s designs

1697: official opening of the new church

1723:  consecration by Bishop Gaspare Gori-Mancini

1820:  elevation to the dignity of Collegiate Church

19th Century: undertaking of major decoration and embellishment programme

1941-42: infliction of heavily damage by enemy bombing

After 1945: restoration and embellishment programme