200-year-old chapel damaged during trenching works

Wide cracks have appeared along the walls and the dome of what is thought to be the oldest chapel in Sliema over the past few days following the start of trenching works outside.

The early 19th century chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Graces, in High Street, Sliema, is situated next door to the building site of a new five-star hotel belonging to AX Holdings.

The chapel was restored two years ago.

The trenching is being done by subcontractors of AX Holdings in preparation for the laying of drainage pipes to service the hotel.

Architect Alex Torpiano, who was engaged by the Church authorities to assess the damage to the chapel, said that until repairs are carried out, the chapel cannot be used.

Anglu Xuereb, AX Holdings chairman, said his company was awaiting the architect's assessment of the damage to take remedial action.

A house situated adjacent to the chapel also sustained structural damage.

Stella Maris parish priest Fr Joe Bartolo said he had been informed about the possibility of damage by a neighbour living next door who noticed cracks on the wall next to the chapel. The chapel is situated almost in front of Stella Maris parish church.

Fr Bartolo said he saw the cracks on the wall and dome of the chapel when he checked the church yesterday morning. Nowadays the chapel is not open every day but is used for adoration on Sundays and for certain functions.

Fr Bartolo said that during the construction of the hotel the contractor carried out excavation works to a level of three storeys on the side of the chapel and installed concrete piles to strengthen the foundations.

The trenching works started on Monday and are being carried out by workers from Tal-Maghtab Co. Ltd.

Mr Xuereb, who was on site yesterday morning, said it was strange that this should happen, bearing in mind that the trenching is being done in solid rock.

The furniture and antique paintings inside the chapel were removed as a precaution.

Referred to the digging next to the chapel, Mr Xuereb said that concrete piles were installed on the site to strengthen the foundations and no digging took place within five metres from the chapel's foundations.

Later yesterday, AX Construction issued the following statement with the signature of Mr Xuereb:

"This week work commenced on the drainage connection to The Palace Hotel being built in High Street, Sliema. This work involved the excavation of a trench for the laying of the new drainage pipes by the company's sub-contractors, in line with normal procedures for household sewage connection.

"Trenching equipment was used to excavate the necessary trench which passed approximately 4.5m (15 feet) away from the façade of the small chapel situated in High Street. The trench passed through what appeared to be sound rock with little evidence of fissures. Thus, no one could envisage any possible rock movement.

"AX Construction were this morning informed that movement cracks were noted in the side walls of the chapel.

"Steps were immediately taken to fill the section of trench in front of the chapel with concrete in order to ensure that no further movement would occur.

"Over the past three years a number of precautions were taken to ensure that excavation and construction works on the adjacent site did not cause any damage to the historic chapel. Clear proof that the precautions were effective lies in the fact that over the whole of this period no damage to the chapel was ever reported.

"Efforts are being made to establish the exact cause of the movements reported and the nature of the repair works required so that, without prejudice, the contractors can take the necessary remedial works in hand as soon possible."

The Sliema council referred to the severe damage caused to the chapel "during construction works that are being carried out by AX holdings Ltd". It said it had immediately instructed the contractor to take all necessary works to stabilise the chapel and to ensure the proper safety of the public.

The council said it has notified all other authorities to follow up the matter closely and, in turn, ensure that the contractor carries out his obligations accordingly.

In 2004, the Stella Maris parish carried out restoration works on the chapel at a cost of Lm7,000, 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 Malta's natural environment and cultural heritage using funds secured through what is known as "planning gain".

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.

The extensive works that were carried out in the chapel included the restoration of the façade and the inner walls, the ceiling and dome.

Prior to the building of this chapel, there was another church dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary located in Tignè Fort but this was destroyed during the French occupation (1798-1800).

After the occupation, Sliema residents opted for an alternative site for a new church, not wanting the same fate to befall it.

The land on which the chapel stands today was property donated by Giovanna Salvaloco. The church was built and consecrated around May 1804 and originally fell under the Birkirkara parish. Until 1855, when Stella Maris church was built, this was the only church in the Sliema area.