Mepa finances chapel's restoration works

Stella Maris parish church has carried out important restoration works on the chapel of Our Lady of Divine Grace (Madonna tal-Grazzja) in High Street, Sliema.

The work, which cost Lm7,000, was financed by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, through the Environment Initiative Partnership Programme (EIPP) fund that was initiated by the authority in November 2001.

The aim of the EIPP is to enhance and protect the natural environment and cultural heritage using money secured through what is known as "Planning Gain", which is often sought by Mepa as a means of environmental compensation for the negative impacts of development.

The "Planning Gain" used in this case was a condition imposed on the development application permit granted for the construction of an extension to the adjoining Victoria Hotel and an underground multi-storey car park in Sliema.

The extensive works that were carried out in the chapel included the restoration of the façade and the inner walls, the ceiling and dome. Other maintenance works were carried out to the marble floor, the altar and the church's inner and main door. Restoration works still need to be carried out on one sidewall and the tympanum of the chapel.

Situated almost in front of the parish church of Stella Maris, this is today the oldest standing chapel in Sliema and was constructed and consecrated around May, 1804, when it fell under the Birkirkara parish.

Until 1855 when Stella Maris church was built this was the only church that could be found in the Sliema area.

Though small, the chapel also has artistic heritage, in the form of a Mattia Preti painting. It is thought that this painting was brought over from the Church of Nativity of Our Lady in Tigné prior to its ruin during the French occupation.