Churches were always atthe centre of the daily lives of our forefathers. When the religious order of the Knights of St John came to Malta in 1536, they continued to instill in the Maltese not only the love for religion, but also love for all that was sacred such as buildings, sculpture and paintings.
Noble people and well-to-do families, including some of the knights, used to have a small chapel annexed to their home, and such houses still exist in Mdina and Valletta. Prayers, including the Holy Rosary, and Mass on particular days, were said in these chapels.
Many people wished to have a family chapel, but since not all houses were big enough, a portable altar would often be used instead. Due to lack of space, the altar would be concealed in a wardrobe, or a cupboard, in the sitting room and only used when it was needed.
Most people lived in extreme poverty and space in houses was very limited – a small altar or a shelf in front of a holy picture was often considered as a substitute for the portable altar. This was commonly referred to as L-ixkaffa tal-Madonna (The Blessed Virgin Mary’s shelf).
Since not all houses were big enough to have a room used as a chapel, a portable altar would often be used
In time, people developed a sense of respect and interest towards these religious decorations and started to elaborately decorate their shelf. In some cases, enthusiasts went even further, setting up a full-scale model of their respective parish church or any other church. Up to 60 years ago almost all families had a church model and, during the months of October and May, families used to gather in front of them to recite the Holy Rosary.
Church modelling became highly popular especially among the inhabitants of Valletta and Cottonera. Since Cottonera was home to many skilled artisans, many were those who took up the hobby, with church models passed down from father to son.
With these two areas being the worst hit during World War II, many were those who lost their houses, including church models, some of them renowned for their precise scale and accurate resemblance. After the war, with the advent of television, other hobbies made their way in households with the consequence that church modelling gradually faded out.
In 1986, three church model hobbyists – Raphael Micallef, Paul Piscopo and Tony Terribile – met in Floriana to revive the tradition and a society, titled Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli ta’ Knejjes (Church Modelling Society), was set up. Today, around 400 membersform part of the society which operates from its premises in Valletta.
The society organises various activities, including monthly meetings where skilled tradesmen lecture members in specific fields such as guilding, clay designing and ganutell. Throughout the year, the society holds video forums about traditional feasts and heritage and publishes a bi-monthly magazine, Il-Knisja Tiegħi, which serves as a platform for members where they can write about different aspects of religious folklore.
The Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli ta’ Knejjes’s annual exhibition runs during the first two weeks of Lent until February 27, at St Francis Hall, Valletta.
http://għaqda_dilettanti_knejjes.webs.com/