The practice of having a niche or shelf dedicated to Our Lady during the time of the Knights has evolved over the centuries into an elaborate hobby that involves making models of churches, altars, statues and other religious items. Photos: Matthew Mirabelli

The love for anything sacred instilled in the Maltese by the Knights is being showcased at St Francis Hall in Valletta in an exhibition by the Church Model Society.

Church modelling as a folkloristic hobby dates back centuries when the Knights of St John tried to inject in the Maltese, apart from their love of religion, a fondness for all that was sacred – buildings, sculptures, paintings.

According to the society, most of the Maltese living in the harbour area earned their living as servants of the knights or the nobility, who used to have a small chapel annexed to their house.

Those who could not afford a room to be used exclusively as a chapel set up a portable altar.

People who lived in poverty adopted this idea and started to set up a niche or shelf, known as L-Ixkaffa tal-Madonna, in their small houses.

As time went by the decorations of these shelves became elaborate and quite detailed and some households developed a model usually resembling the local parish church.

Many of these models were lost during World War II, and the hobby started losing ground until three enthusiasts set up the society 26 years ago. It now has 400 members.

Apart from monthly meetings and lectures, the society’s main event is an annual exhibition held at the hall in Melita Street, Valletta, during the first two weeks of Lent.

The exhibition displays the art of lay people who imitate the artistic patrimony of Maltese churches. It includes church models, statuettes, model altars and small chandeliers.

The display is open daily between 9.30am and 12.30pm, and 4.30 and 7.30pm.