It was on December 13, 1964, that the first stone of a new church in the Tarxien parish cemetery was laid.

It was quite a memorable ceremony, with Archbishop Michael Gonzi laying the stone and Jimmy Farrugia and Carmelo Caruana MP acting as witnesses to this important act.

It was the dream of Fr Joseph Theuma starting to become a reality. Back in 1962, when Archbishop Michael Gonzi was on a pastoral visit to the parish of Tarxien,Fr Theuma had asked him for permission to dismantle the small chapel in the parish cemetery, called Ta’ l-Erwieħ, and build a bigger one.

The fields around were being built up so the need was felt for a much larger chapel to cater for the needs of the growing population. Permission was granted and Fr Theuma asked his friend architect and Mgr Valerio Vigorelli to draw up a plan for the new church.

The plan was approved. Many volunteers helped Father Theuma dismantle the small chapel and later build the new church. Back in 1964, Fr Theuma, in a letter to the press, thanked all those who helped him. Unfortunately all of them have passed away except one, Joseph Lomax. Years passed before the church was completely built.

Fr Theuma’s dream came about after many sacrifices made by him and those around him.

The church was consecrated by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca on December 13, 2002 in the presence of Fr Theuma and Mgr Vigorelli. Last Saturday, exactly 50 years after that memorable day, a thanksgiving Mass was celebrated by Bishop Charles Scicluna in the presence of a large congregation.

An exhibition of items found in the old chapel and of photos of the different phases of the building of the present church was on display.