Our History

Origins and Construction

(1872–1881)

The initiative to build the church was led by Fr. Paul Vella from Valletta, who, around 1874, recognized the need for a new church to serve Sliema’s growing Catholic community. He formed a committee with local figures, including Pietru Pawl Galea and Giacchino Ellul, to raise funds and oversee the project. Architect Giovanni Domenico Debono designed the church in a Roman-Ionic style. The foundation stone was laid on June 3, 1877, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s episcopal ordination, to whom the church was dedicated as a national monument.

Construction faced challenges, notably on October 22, 1879, when one of the main pillars cracked due to the use of soft globigerina limestone. The affected pillars were rebuilt using harder Coralline limestone. The church was completed and blessed on June 26, 1881, by Archbishop Carmelo Scicluna. That evening, the statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, crafted by Maltese sculptor Ġlormu Darmanin, was brought into the church.

Transition to Franciscan Administration and Parish Status

On November 13, 1881, the church was entrusted to the Franciscan Friars Minor. Fr. Anton M. Cesal, the provincial superior, appointed Fr. Aegidius Portelli as rector. The church became a parish on September 24, 1918, as declared by Archbishop Mauro Caruana.

World War II and Restoration

During World War II, the Church suffered extensive damage. Between 3 and 4 August 1941, during an enemy attack, bombardments struck various parts of the church, including the sacristy. Many items were lost, among them church scaffolding, a set of chandeliers that had only been installed for the 1940 feast, liturgical vestments, and other important furnishings. In the same attack, the statue of St. Paschal Baylon was destroyed. It had been removed from its niche to make space for the statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

The greatest tragedy for the monks and parishioners occurred on April 1, 1942. During an intense air raid, a large number of bombs were dropped around the church, completely destroying the houses to its left. The chapel of Our Lady of Pompeii was hit directly and completely destroyed, while the chapel of St. Lawrence suffered severe damage. At the time, P. George Xerri OFM was in the chapel with three women and a young girl. Tragically, two of the women and the girl lost their lives in the wreckage. P. George Xerri OFM and the remaining woman were rescued alive.

The bombing also devastated the convent, which was entirely destroyed. Twenty-two people, including P. Diegu Galdes OFM, were killed. Among the survivors was P. Lino Mamo OFM.

Reconstruction efforts began in 1943, following the war. The chapel of St. Lawrence was dismantled and rebuilt, including its apse, and the chapel of Our Lady of Pompeii was also reconstructed. The restoration was completed by 1944. Finally, on November 30, 1950, the Church was consecrated by Archbishop Michael Gonzi.

Artistic Developments

(1954-1978)

Between 1954 and 1978, the church underwent major improvements. The floor was covered with marble paving, and the roof was gilded. Since the cradle held by the titular statue had been destroyed during the war, a new one was crafted by Joseph Galea from Luqa. This work, made of African nuts and bronze, was based on a design by Carmelo Tonna from Rabat.

Inside the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, there are nine altarpieces, all adorned with artistic panels created by various artists. Among these are the panels of St. Lawrence (1881), St. Vincent Ferreri (1881), Our Lady of Mount Carmel (1897), and St. John (1881), with the latter considered the artist’s masterpiece.
The panel of St. Anthony of Padua (1881) was painted by Lazzru Pisani, while the panel of St. Francis was painted by Francesco Zahra. The panel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was created by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary in Rome in 1937. The altar of St. Paschal was completed in 1956.

Additionally, there is a panel by Giuseppe Calì depicting St. Peter and St. Paul in prison, as well as a panel of St. Charles of Sezze with St. Anne, painted by Oscar Testa.

The High Altar

The first titular painting was created by Giuseppe Bonnici. It depicted the Madonna standing and carrying the Child on her shoulder, with His Divine Heart visible on His chest. However, this painting was not very successful, as it began to lose its colour over time. In 1933, a new painting was commissioned from the Franciscan Sisters of Mary in Rome and was completed in 1936.

This new artwork portrays the Madonna seated on a throne resting on clouds and surrounded by small flying angels. On her lap sits the Child Jesus, who points to His Heart with His left hand while blessing with His right. Both the Madonna and the Child wear crowns on their heads. Below the throne is a depiction of Sliema as it appeared at the time, reflecting the town over which the Madonna is patroness.

The Dome

After the dome was repainted, the Franciscan community commissioned Cavalier Paul Camilleri Cauchi to decorate the church ceiling, as his artistic style closely resembled that of Giuseppe Calì. The dome features paintings of eight Franciscan saints, while the lunettes below depict the four Doctors of the Church: St. Anthony of Padua, John Duns Scotus, St. Bernardine of Siena, and a Cardinal Doctor.

The apse above the High Altar contains a fresco by Giuseppe Calì, The Triumph of the Privilege of the Immaculate Conception, completed in 1892 in just 22 days. The ceiling above the choir shows the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, flanked by St. Joseph and St. John the Baptist, completed in 1971.

Between 1971 and 1979, the remaining ceilings and aisles were decorated with paintings illustrating the Seven Mysteries of the Franciscan Crown. Each mystery is accompanied by depictions of saints, prophets, and Franciscan tertiaries. The sequence begins in the chapels—with Jesus appearing to His Mother (1972) and Jesus found in the Temple (1973)—and continues along the aisles with scenes such as the Adoration of the Magi, the Nativity, the Visitation, and the Annunciation (1974–1977). Above the organ, the Wedding at Cana (1979) marks the completion of this decorative program.

Furnishings and Statues

The church is richly adorned with artistic furnishings. A notable feature is the pulpit, crafted in 1936 by Alfredo Zarb to a design by Anġlu Muscat. Made of walnut and mahogany, it stands on bronze lions and features bas-reliefs of Christ, St. Francis preaching to the birds, and St. Anthony preaching to the fish.
A new altar table was installed following the removal of the original high altar, in accordance with the Second Vatican Council’s liturgical reforms. It was consecrated by Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi on 14 June 1974.

In addition to the titular statue, the church houses statues of St. Paschal Baylon, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Sorrows, St. John, the Crucifix, St. Joseph, St. Clare, St. Francis, the Redeemer, and Ecce Homo. During Holy Week, various Passion scenes are also displayed inside the church.
The parish remains active throughout the entire year, not only during the titular feast celebrated on the first Sunday of July. In October, the parish also celebrates the feast of St. Francis, patron of the Franciscan Order, who administers the parish. During Holy Week, a procession of sorrows and a pilgrimage with the statue of Jesus the Redeemer are held. Inside the church, a series of Passion scenes are displayed, representing the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus tied to the column, Ecce Homo, the Redeemer, Veronica, the Great Virgin, the Mourning, and the Dead Christ. At Easter, a statue of the Risen Christ by Renzo Gauci is set up inside the church. Additionally, processions for Corpus Christi and the Sacred Heart of Jesus are also held annually.

Recent Restorations and Celebrations

Over the years, the church has undergone extensive restoration. Significant work was carried out on the dome, including the restoration of the eight statues surrounding it, as well as on the façade and the bell tower. Modern electrical and sound systems were installed, and the entire church was repainted. Several columns at the back of the church were also replaced due to damage caused by their lower position below road level. The roof’s membrane was renewed, and the domes—including the one at the back of the church—were fully repainted.

The parish remains active throughout the entire year, not only during the titular feast celebrated on the first Sunday of July. In October, the parish also celebrates the feast of St. Francis, patron of the Franciscan Order, who administers the parish. During Holy Week, a procession of sorrows and a pilgrimage with the statue of Jesus the Redeemer are held. Inside the church, a series of Passion scenes are displayed, representing the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus tied to the column, Ecce Homo, the Redeemer, Veronica, the Great Virgin, the Mourning, and the Dead Christ. At Easter, a statue of the Risen Christ by Renzo Gauci is set up inside the church. Additionally, processions for Corpus Christi and the Sacred Heart of Jesus are also held annually.