1906-1999

1906-1999

1906-1999
  • 1906 – 1910 | The church dome and vaults are decorated with a fresco cycle by artist Virginio Monti. These were restored by Samuel Bugeja in 1985-1999.
  • 1910 | Saint Helen Collegiate Church was the venue where the devout image of the Madonna tal-Ħerba, was solemnly crowned by Archbishop Mons. Pietro Pace by decree of the Vatican Chapter.
  • 1931 | The large bell is made at the Prospero Barigozzi foundry in Milan. Previous unsuccessful attempts were made by Ġużè Grech (1891) and Giulio Cauchi (1901).
  • 1936 – 1950 | No festivities are celebrated in Birkirkara because of controversial issues related to the Birkirkara Collegiate.
  • 1940 – 1944 | World War II – Saint Helen Church becomes a depository for artworks from churches around the heavily bombarded Grand Harbour area. Other church spaces become emergency schooling classrooms.
  • 1944 | A memorable pilgrimage is held with the crowned painting of the Immaculate and the processional statue of the Immaculate Conception as these are returned to Cospicua after being held at Saint Helen’s during the war years,
  • 1949 | In January, the doors of the Birkirkara church are barricaded with stones in a reaction to negative news regarding the 1936 controversies.
  • 1950 | Saint Helen Church is elevated to the status of a Basilica by Pope Pius XII.
  • 1973 | The first parish, other than S.Helen’s, in the growing village of Birkirkara itself, dedicated to Saint Joseph the Worker, is established. Others follow in 1975 | Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 2005 | The Assumption of the Virgin (Old Church), and 2006 | Saint Ġorġ Preca.
  • 1999 | A last parish from the Birkirkara Saint Helen parish limits is established at L-Ibraġġ.