Now that it has been announced that "a rescue plan" has been worked out for Gozo's oldest surviving church, St Cecilia, limits of Għajnsielem and Xewkija (The Sunday Times, March 2), the restoration methodology has become a matter of art historical importance. The technical and stylistic idiosyncrasies of the building are an interesting case study of a vernacular architectural language that conditioned the late medieval and early modern buildings of the Maltese countryside. They reflect poor social conditions and the limitations of a harsh environment that grew little timber and relied on stone as the exclusive building material.

Conservation and consolidation of the structure, rather than (a well meaning but misconceived) restoration, should be the rescue plan's overriding objective.

Therefore, interfere as little as possible with the church as it now stands and preserve what has escaped the ravages of men and time. Keep pointing and grouting to what is necessary for its well being but do not overdo it or let it compromise the visual aspect which enables you to read the history of the building and its construction technology.

The planned utilisation of the church "once fully restored" for "exhibitions, lectures, and other cultural activities" is also suspect, for it implies compromising it with a new floor. The church is an important historical record. Preserve it as such and avoid the temptations of a prestigious utilisation.

The church is a rare surviving example of a building typology that was once common. To lose it or spoil it will impoverish Maltese built heritage.