In December 1625, Bishop Baldassare Cagliares and his family donated the site of this compound to the Teresian Fathers. On their part, the Friars immediately set the ball rolling with the building of a small church to start offering their services in the shortest time possible. This was completed and blessed by the same Bishop in January 1626. In the meantime, the construction of the convent and the present church was triggered. The convent was rendered operational within a few months, whereas the church was completed in 1633. Arguably, this is the first church to be dedicated to St Theresa of Avila worldwide. Its consecration was officiated by Bishop Vincenzo Labini in 1787.

The Convent

On 2 March 1633, Pope Urban VIII established the International Missionary College of the Teresian Order in this convent due to the similarities between the Maltese language and the languages spoken in North Africa and the Near East. Indeed, the Maltese environment made it easier for prospective European missionaries to learn Semitic Languages.

Church Façade

The façade comprises three bays. The central component consists of two tiers and is dominated by a protruding vertical axis. The latter is punctured by the main door, an open pediment and a niche, while a complementing window and two flanking niches demarcate the upper elevation. The side bays are restricted to the lower bay and are perforated by an elegant window. Furthermore, the façade is adorned by statues, namely Our Lady of Trapani and St Theresa of Avila respectively. The latter was crafted by Chris Ebejer in 2016.

Church Interior

The plan comprises the aisle, the presbitery and six side chapels. The presbitery is demarcated by an arch and features an ornate Baroque reredos marked by sculptured columns, putti and emblems. These frame the canvas of the Ecstacy of St Theresa, depicted by Manuel Farrugia in 2018. The original 17th-century painting produced by Fra Luca Garnier suffered extensive damages during World War II and was subsequently heavily overpainted by Ġużeppi Caruana. Also of note is the underlying marble altar, manufactured in 1771 on the designs of Francesco Zahra. Likewise, the reredoses of all side altars are all fashioned in the Baroque style, while the complementing altars are crafted out of marble.

Additional Information

The rich art collection adorning this church include works by Mattia Preti, Enrico Arnaud, Antonio Xuereb and Rocco Buhagiar. The titular statue of St Theresa was crafted in 1954 by Ġużeppi Caruana.

An equally interesting representation of St Elijah is located on a high plinth in the small square fronting the church. Besides being the spiritual father of the Carmelite Order, St Elijah was the patron saint of the Confraternity of Boatsmen established within the same church. The statue was sculpted by Vincenzo Dimech in 1818.

Milestones

1626: building of convent

1633: completion of St Theresa of Avila Church

1633: establishment of the International Missionary College of the Teresian Order

1652: internment of Inquisitor Carlo Cavaletti within the church

1714: abolishment of the International Missionary College of the Teresian Order

1787: consecration of church

1837: theft of ciborium full of consacrated hosts from the holy tabernacle (see: ‘Fejn Sabu s-Sinjur Church, Birgu’)