St Helen's Basilica
Basilica of St Helen | |
---|---|
The Basilica and Collegiate, Parish Church of St Helen | |
Il-Bażilika u Kolleġġjata ta' Sant' Elena | |
Exterior of the Basilica | |
Location | Birkirkara |
Country | Malta |
Denomination | Roman Catholic |
Website | Website of the Basilica |
Architecture | |
Status | Collegiate Church, Minor Basilica, Parish Church |
Style | Baroque |
Clergy | |
Dean | Anton Mallia Borg |
Archpriest | Vincenz Cachia |
Precentor | Ġużepp Micallef |
Chancellor | Charles Gauci |
St Helen's Basilica is a Roman Catholic church situated in Birkirkara, Malta.
History
Birkirkara is one of the ten Maltese parishes which existed in 1436, the year of the Rollo drawn up by the bishop of Malta, Senatore Mello. The parish was dedicated to St Helen, and this was also the titular saint of the church built in the 18th century and still existing today. The church is also famous for its large bell, installed around 1932.
On December 5, 1630 Pope Urban VIII established the collegiate chapter of church through the papal bull Sacri Apostolatus Ministerio. The present church was built in the centre of the Birkirkara on a much larger scale then the previous 3 churches that stood on the site. The cornerstone of the present church was laid on April 27, 1727 by Bishop Gaspare Gori-Mancini. A medal of St Helen and the names of the then Pope and bishop were also buried with the cornerstone. The church was blessed by Bishop Paul Alphéran de Bussan on April 19, 1771. The church was then consecrated by Bishop Vincenzo Labini on October 20, 1782. The church was elevated to the dignity of a Minor Basilica on January 18, 1950 by Pope Pius XII.
See also
- List of Churches in Malta