St. Joseph's Parish Church in Kalkara

The village of Kalkara was declared a Parish on the 10th of December 1897 and this Church is the second one to officially serve as a Parish Church following the destruction of the previous one during the Second World War on the 10th of April 1942.

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The present Church, designed by Chev. Vincenzo Bonello (1891-1969) and supported by Engineer Ġu

żè Damato (1886-1963), is in the neo-classical style in the form of a Latin cross. 

The present church was built on land known as “tal-Għeżieli” placing it more centrally in the heart of the town

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It was bought and donated to the Parish by Archbishop Mons. Michael Gonzi. 

The foundation stone was blessed on the 13th October 1946 and this too was officiated by the Archbishop. 

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Mons. Carmelo Xuereb was Parish Priest at the time and many parishioners were engaged in the construction of the church.

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The blessing of the new Church was presided by Archbishop Mons. Gonzi on the 7th September 1952, who also consecrated it on the 12th December 1954. 

In 1955 Cardinal Federico Tedeschini described it as one of the finest examples of neo-classical churches in Europe built after the Second World War.