Lija church restoration gets a helping hand from HSBC

HSBC's Balzan branch is contributing to the restoration works being carried out at Lija parish church.

The bank's sales and service branch manager at Balzan, Rita Farrugia, presented a donation to Lija parish priest Fr David Gauci to help the work on the façade of the Church to continue.

Ms Farrugia also hoped that other local businesses would help in this project.

The restoration began some months ago by Joe Spiteri who has already completed the restoration of one of the bell towers in time for the parish feast of the Salvatur on Wednesday.

It is hoped that the work will be completed within the next year.

The construction of the church began 309 years ago, in May 1694, exactly 100 years after Lija was declared a parish.

The church, designed by architect Ganni Barbara, who was born and raised in Lija, was greatly influenced by the Baroque style.

Apart from frescos painted by Giuseppe Calì, the church is also decorated with a titular painting of the transfiguration of Christ by Mattia Preti.

Parishioners are contributing towards the restoration work, but it is such a big job that additional help from other organisations was necessary, Fr Gauci said.

He said the restoration will help protect the various works of art, particularly frescos by Giuseppe Calì which have been suffering because of rain water seeping through the roof.