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