Żejtun parish church façade gets €100,000 makeover

890 square metres of façade of the Żejtun parish church were restored in a project that cost €98,994. The project, which commenced on 21 June 2017, was inaugurated yesterday by Justice and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici.

This elevation of the parish church had been earmarked for conservation and restoration as a priority over the rest due to its orientation, which favours accelerated rates of deterioration.

The works conducted can be classified under three main categories. The first includes all works which contributed towards the strengthening of the fabric, such as the consolidation of friable stone, the reinforcement of corners and pilasters using lime injection techniques, and the changing of deteriorated fabric including four pillar capitals which were beyond repair.

The second category concerns all the cleaning operations conducted which include the removal of thick black crust which had formed over the centuries underneath the cornices, the removal of copious amounts of pigeon soiling and related works to deter future nesting, and the careful removal by hand of the thick cement which covered most of the lower courses of the church causing salt damage in the adjacent fabric.

The last category covers all works conducted for the deceleration of deterioration mechanisms including the repair of the parapett wall’s deffun coping, the laying of new deffun on all ledges and cornices, and the application of plastic repair mortars to slow down loss of fabric through erosion and salt damage.

Minister Bonnici said: “It is our obligation and duty to preserve this baroque jewel found in Żejtun. This intervention is a sound example of our efforts to conserve our history and traditions for our future generations. Our country’s culture is truly dear to us and we are committed to boost and strengthen this sector.

“We have seen a number of ambitious projects in relation to restoration recently, namely the restoration of palaces and bastions in our capital city which carry national historic significance. However, we must see to our localities as well, who are enriched with a myriad of important historic jewels which are now being given the attention they deserve,” stated Minister Bonnici.