Two 80-year-old statues were removed from outside the Mosta parish church earlier this week to make way for a €200,000 restoration of the parvis. Once restoration work is completed, the parvis will be identical to the original 1860 design by architect Giorgio Grognet de Vasse. One of the statues removed depicts Our Lady of the Assumption and the other, St Joseph holding baby Jesus. They are believed to be two of the best examples of works by renowned Maltese sculptor Vincenzo Apap.