Christ the King Church, Paola
The Parish Church of Christ the King is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Paola, Malta. It is the largest church in Malta.
Church of Christ the King | |
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The Parish church of Christ the King | |
Il-knisja Parrokjali ta' Kristu Re | |
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![]() ![]() Church of Christ the King Location in Malta | |
35°52′18″N 14°30′30″E | |
Location | Paola |
Country | Malta |
Denomination | Roman Catholic |
History | |
Status | Active |
Dedication | Christ the King |
Consecrated | 3 June 1967 |
Architecture | |
Functional status | Parish church |
Architectural type | Church |
Groundbreaking | 1924 |
Specifications | |
Number of spires | 2 |
Administration | |
Parish | Christ the King |
Archdiocese | Malta |
Clergy | |
Archbishop | Charles Scicluna |
Priest in charge | Marc Andrè Camilleri |
History
The parish of Paola or as it more commonly known as Raħal Ġdid, was created in 1910 by Archbishop Pietro Pace. The 17th century St. Ubaldesca Church was chosen as the parish church. Plans were made for a larger church to be built. In 1924 the cornerstone was slaid and thus construction commenced. Sometime in the late 1920s or early 1930s, stonework was being done by Manuel and his brother Carmnu Cassar. Photographs exist showing Manuel and Carmnu Cassar erecting the arches. The formwork and the hoist to erect the arches are still in the basement of the church. Manuel Cassar was the son of Joseph Cassar also a stone mason and builder who built many houses in Paola. Joseph Cassar was from the neighbouring town of Tarxien. Manuel Cassar was married to Carmena who was from the town of Mellieha. They lived in Triq il-Qalb ta Ġesù; an adjacent street to the church. Manuel and Carmena Cassar had seven children, Maria Cassar being the eldest heard many a story from her father about what was going on during that time and until the war started. The church started to be used as the parish church 1936. The church was consecrated and dedicated to Christ the King on June 3, 1967 by Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi.[1][2]
![](../I/m/Christ_the_King_Church%2C_Paola_Affresco.jpg)
References
- "Il-Knisja ta Kristu re taghlaq 50 sena mill-Konsagrazzjoni". Retrieved on 23 June 2017.
- "Paola (Raħal Ġdid) (Christ the King)", Archdiocese of Malta. Retrieved on 23 June 2017.