The Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici inaugurated the restoration works carried out on the Chapel of San Filippu and San Jakbu, better known as Tal-Propostu, in San Ġwann.
This chapel is one of the thirteen projects from the Local Councils 2022 scheme. The project, which was proposed by the San Gwann Local Council, was completed in three months. During a visit to inaugurate the works, Minister Owen Bonnici said that the aim of the restoration is to enhance the historical heritage of the area. “Historical places located in the respective towns and cities are a source of pride for the communities, and this restoration continues to safeguard those important aspects of our heritage,”.
The Architect Roberta Mallia who was in charge of the works spoke about the work that was done, which included cleaning the facade, plastering of wires, repair of stones that deteriorated, repair of the tomb located on the roof and restoration of wooden apertures.
The Chapel of Saint Philip and Saint James was built in the early 1730s. In a document that goes back to 18 October 1732, the Propostu of Birkirkara Fr. Gaspare Giuseppe Vassallo declared that a chapel should be built on a portion of land known as Ta’ Wied Ghomor. The chapel was transferred to the Parish of St. John towards the middle of the 20th century when the Parish of the Immaculate Conception was established. The restoration work was all done by the workers of the Department of Restoration and Preservation. Also present for this inauguration was the Mayor of San Gwann, Trevor Fenech.
