Luqa

LUQA

St.Andrew Parish Church

In 1492 there was a small chapel at Luqa dedicated to St.Andrew. A church built between 1539 and 1542 substituted this chapel. When the village became a parish on the 15th June 1634, through the efforts of the first parish priest a new church was built and completed in 1686. It was enlarged between 1693 and 1737. Bishop Labini consecrated it on the 7th December 1783. Between 1901 and 1910 the church was further enlarged, but was extensively ruined by enemy bombing during WWII it being so close to the airport. It was rebuilt between 1945 and 1954 and consecrated by Archbishop Gonzi. After the war it was re-dedicated on the 26th Sept 1962. 

Assumption Tal-Ftajjar

The chapel was first built in the 15th century and the priest in charge was obliged to celebrate Mass and chant Vespers on the feast of its patron, afterwards distributing flatbreads to the poor (Hence the nickname). Rebuilt in 1613 it has its titular of the Assumption painted by Giuseppe D'Arena in 1679. Adjacent to this church is the Nativity of Our Lady.

Assumption Tal-Ibwar

This church was built before Bishop Gargallo's 1600 visit when a cemetery for plague victims was built near it. In 1771 Bishop Pellerano ordered it’s dismantling because it was nearly in ruins. 

Chapel

A Chapel for Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament exists in Carmel Street and is open daily 7.00am to 7.00pm. 

Chapel

During WWII, all over Malta, Air raid shelters were hewn out of solid rock. In many instances, a small room was reserved as a chapel. One can be found at the Luqa public shelters with its altar forming part of the rock itself. One entrance to this public shelter was discovered by young members of the local band club in the cellar of the premises. The titular sculpture over the altar was missing but the youths traced it to a family. One of the members of this family who was the sculptor himself, had removed it after the war. These youths sought permission to take a cast of the original and place it over the altar. Andre Zammit who was one of the youths who made the discovery gave this information. 

Nativity of Our Lady Hal Farrug (Two Churches)

Two churches of this same dedication existed near Hal Farrug. One, which existed before 1575, is mentioned in the 1762 Mons. B.Rull report. No trace of this church can be found anymore. Another, which was from before 1575 is mentioned. Antonio Lauda, from Birgu, was then duty bound to celebrate the titular feast, while Girolamono Piscopo had to see to the celebration of Mass on each Sunday and feast day. This church, though very old, continued to function throughout the 18th century. In 1941 Governor Dobbie asked Bishop Caruana for permission to dismantle it to make way for another runway.

Nativity of Our Lady Hal Farrug (Recent)

The British vacated some buildings in 1979. A pastoral centre and a chapel were built and blessed by the pastor in September 1992 at this location. 

Nativity of Our Lady Tal-Ftajjar

Also commonly known as Our Lady of Victory, this church was duly functioning in 1575. It was closed for worship in 1656 but was later reopened. In 1774, the celebration of Mass in this church was definitely banned. In 1992 it became a centre for pastoral activities. Adjacent to this church is that of the Assumption. Still another church dedicated to St.Nicholas once abutted these two churches, all three being mentioned by Mons.Dusina in 1575. This Nativity of Our Lady chapel was lately restored.

Our Lady of Carmel

This church was built in 1784 and rebuilt in 1848. It was demolished in 1942 to make way for another airport runway. The present chapel was built in another spot with the money given as compensation, and blessed in 1958 as part of a Parish Centre. The canvas of Our Lady of Carmel is from the old church and was done in 1897 during Fr.Karm Vassallo's tenure as rector.

Sacred Heart

This chapel was built in 1892 in the St Vincent de Paul Hospital for the aged. It can accommodate 600 people. In 2004 it was in the process of being restored.

(Our Lady Help of Christians) and St.Bartholomew

This is another fairly sized chapel in St Vincent de Paul Hospital in the Ruzar Briffa complex. 

Visitation

The Imbroll family built this church before 1575. Near it there was another one dedicated to St Anthony. During the Pastoral Visit of 1644-46 it was still functioning. Later however it was demolished as its site was needed for the building of the new parish church.

St.James Hal Fuqani

This church was first built in 1550 in the village of Hal Fuqani now part of Luqa. In 1613 it was deconsecrated but dedicated again in 1623 after it was rebuilt. Recently restored it has its titular picture by Raphael Bonnici Cali.

THE AIRPORT CHAPELS / CHURCHES

St.Christopher

With the commencement of WWII in September 1939, Luqa airport became a Royal Air Force Station and most of the civilian employees left. During the toughest time in November 1942 the number of personnel at Luqa Station was 4,350 Airmen, 770 Soldiers and 600 civilians. After the end of the War in January 1948 an extensive building program of the area began with the erection of Barrack Blocks, Married Quarters for over eighty families, and an Airmen's Mess. Later on, two Churches were added. It was decided to build a Station Church at the entrance to what was known as the Domestic Site and by March 1955 the church was ready for use. Dedicated to St.Christopher, it was built for use by members of the Church of England and the Free Church.

Nativity of Our Lady

A Roman Catholic Church dedicated to the Nativity of Our Lady was also built on the Domestic Site at the Airport around WWII. Unlike St.Christopher, Marriages were not performed here for service personnel.

Our Lady of the Airways

When the British Forces started to cut down on personnel, St.Christopher fell under the control of Air Malta. It became the Airport Chapel. 

Our Lady of the Airways.

With the new International Airport buildings being opened in 1992, a new airport chapel was incorporated and the dedication of Our Lady of the Airways was transferred there. The New chapel of the new terminal can be found next to the atrium. It is always open, and Mass may be also celebrated there if required.

Nativity of Our Lady

When Air Malta no longer needed the land containing the old church building of St.Christopher's, it was handed over to the Armed Forces Malta becoming part of Luqa Barracks, the Church being reopened for Roman Catholic worship and renamed the Nativity of Our Lady. 

St Christopher / Our Lady of the Airways / Nativity of Our Lady

Our Lady of the Airways in the New Terminal