our voluntary organisation

The mission and vocation of the Għaqda Dilettanti Knisja ta’ Lapsi, San Ġiljan VO/1891 find inspiration in Psalm 69:9: “Zeal for your house consumes me.” The origins of this voluntary organisation can be traced back to 2003, the year during which the main part of the beautiful frescoed barrel vault of the church was inaugurated following a large-scale restoration and conservation project by a team of Italian experts (Sider-Itera spa), with the assistance of the Restoration Unit, Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure, under the direction of Perit Norbert Gatt.

This project marked a new era for the church, instilling the enthusiasm that led to a range of initiatives aimed at revitalising this historical jewel in the heart of what the village of St Julian’s had become - a cosmopolitan community. It also brought to an abrupt end decades of neglect,  a natural consequence of the construction and furnishing of a new parish church.

A group of youths, conscious of the historical importance of the church, whose origins date back to around 1580 and which gave its name to the locality, established the voluntary organisation to restore and conserve it, ensuring it would never fall into neglect again. This group provided essential support to the church’s long-standing verger, Mr Michael Grech, who had acted as the church’s main custodian even before, and especially after, the official opening of the new parish church in 1968.

Since its inception, the organisation has overseen the restoration and conservation of numerous works of art and liturgical objects of historical and artistic merit. These include altarpieces of the side altars (dedicated to The Ascension of Our Lord, The Virgin of the Rosary, St Joseph, and Saints Anne and Joachim); The Descent of Christ from the Cross attributed to Mattia Preti; The Four Evangelists in the Neapolitan Baroque tradition; St Jerome presenting the Latin Bible to Pope St Damasus; and St Peter from the Neapolitan Baroque School; as well as The Meditations of St Francis of Assisi and The Prophet Isaiah, restored thanks to Bank of Valletta. A number of pieces of ecclesiastical furniture were also restored, including the baptismal font, the pulpit, and sculptures such as the Ecce Homo. Stone sculptured niches at the back of the church were re-gilded and decorated by members of the organisation, with the statues housed within undergoing renovation.

Several liturgical objects, including candlesticks, lecterns, and an antique exposition throne known as a ġilandra, were also expertly restored. In addition, the voluntary organisation has commissioned new works, including a functional altar designed and sculpted by the late Renzo Gauci, and three devotional paintings for the side altars depicting St George Preca, St John Paul II, and St Rita, executed by artist Adonai Camilleri Cauchi, within gilded sculptured frames by the same Renzo Gauci.

In 2014, the care of the church officially passed to the members of the organisation under the guidance of the parish priest, who is ex officio the rector of the church. This entailed a daily commitment, prioritising the proper celebration of the sacraments, and the restoration or replacement of holy vessels, liturgical equipment, and vestments in poor condition.

In 2019, the voluntary organisation underwent a formal restructuring with the drafting of statutes and registration with the Office of the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations. A management committee was established, elected by members during an annual general meeting, comprising four to eight members with three officials: President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The structure also facilitated the participation of community members as registered members, strengthening the organisation’s capacity to secure funding for restoration and conservation projects.

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021, despite its challenges, provided a unique opportunity to undertake extensive restoration and redecoration of the church’s interior, completed in December 2022. Projects included the restoration of the inlaid marble floor (supported by Arts Council Malta), cleaning and redecoration of the stone walls, application of a new colour scheme, gilding of cornices, stone sculptures, and architectural features in 23-karat gold, and decoration of side altars and the baptismal font using the finto marmo technique, under the direction of ecclesiastical decorative arts specialist Mr Silvio Pace and with the support of Tumas Group.  Additional projects included the installation of an intelligent lighting system and the restoration and conservation of the titular painting of St Julian (1596) attributed to Antonio Catalano, completed in August 2022. Recently a restoration-conservation project of the main altar and two side altars dedicated to the 'Ascension of Christ into Heaven' and 'The Blessed Virgin of the Rosary', supported by Arts Council Malta, came to a successful completion.

The voluntary organisation continues to actively seek funding for further projects, including restoration of the façade, outer walls, vestries, and belfry, as well as additional artworks and liturgical objects.

Beyond conservation, the voluntary organisation plays a central role in parish and community life. It ensures the church is properly decorated for major liturgical feasts, including Easter, Christmas and the titular feast of St Julian, celebrated on the last Sunday of August. On this occasion, streets and public spaces are also adorned with historical and newly commissioned decorations, designed and brought to life by members, volunteers, and local artists, transforming the parish into a vibrant, celebratory spectacle.

The organisation also has an educational and cultural mission. It promotes art, history, and heritage awareness through publications, cultural activities, exhibitions, concerts, public presentations, and social media, with the aim of engaging broader audiences and strengthening appreciation of the community’s identity. Its annual publication, Lapsi, launched in 2008, chronicles research on the patron saint, the church, the parish,  the locality, its notable citizens, as well as the work undertaken by the organisation itself.

The voluntary organisation is committed to developing the skills of its members, volunteers, and administrators to improve operational efficiency and sustainability. A key goal is to attract youths and adolescents, offering them hands-on experience in voluntary work and informal education, fostering community engagement, and encouraging the next generation to contribute new ideas and skills.

The main objectives of the Għaqda Dilettanti Knisja ta’ Lapsi, San Ġiljan VO/1891 are to:

• Ensure the Old Parish Church of St Julian remains a dignified place of worship where the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church are celebrated.

• Preserve and promote the historical and artistic patrimony of the church, raising awareness through cultural and educational activities, publications, and other media.

• Raise funds for restoration and conservation projects, both independently and in collaboration with the parish and other organisations.

• Commission and maintain works of art and liturgical furnishings for the church.

• Participate in the organisation of feasts and celebrations throughout the liturgical year, particularly the titular feast of St Julian.

• Decorate the church and surrounding streets appropriately for feasts and community celebrations.

• Preserve and promote local traditions, educating younger generations in the value of heritage and voluntary service.

Through these initiatives, the voluntary organisation has ensured that the Old Parish Church of St Julian continues to be both a spiritual and cultural landmark, serving the needs of the parish and the wider community while safeguarding its artistic and historical legacy.