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The
need for a bigger church for the people of Paola at the start of the 20th
century was already being felt. Even though the church of
St.Ubaldesca had been
enlarged in 1900 there were still a lot of people who had to listen mass from
outside the church. When Paola was made a parish in 1910, the need for a new
church was being felt much more, especially when, ten years later, the
population exceeded 5000. The
idea to build a new church originated when Parish Priest Nerik Bonnici went to
live in a house near Guze D'Amato who offered to prepare and design the plans.
Three designs were prepared, out of which one was chosen and the architect
Philip Tortell was made responsible for the project. In the Christmas of 1922,
the government gave the land where the new church had to be built and Mr.
D'Amato bequeathed part of his own land. Easter
Sunday of April 1923 was a historic day for the Paolites. On that day the holy
wooden cross was carried in a procession from the church of St.Ubaldesca for the
designated open undeveloped area enclosed by Strada Loggia (today Guze D'Amato
Street), Lampuka
Street, Paola Avenue (today Church Avenue) and Paola Square (today Antoine De
Paule Square), The Fra. G.M. Antoine De Paule band accompanied
the cross along the main street until Dun Salvu Chircop ceremoniously
placed the cross on the spot where the new church had to be built. Three
months later, on 30th June, 1923, the first foundation stone was
laid. This lies under the right belfry and can be seen whilst you are entering
the church from the main door. Mr.
D'Amato introduced new material and technology during the construction of this
huge church. The parishioners, mostly dockyard workers who offered their
services voluntarily after their normal working hours, helped Guze D'Amato in
its construction. Money was collected from the families and a number of
big tombola parties (with a cash prize of £50) were organised. In
less than a year after the laying of the cross, on 24th February,
1924 another ceremony was held - this time to commemorate the laying of the
first stone. It was laid and blessed by the Archbishop Mons. Angelo Portelli.
However two years later work was halted due to some worries about the
construction of the church. Work continued in April 1928 and on 15th
July of the same year the first was mass was held in the new site. The project was completed on 13th December, 1959 with the laying of the stone cross on the main dome.
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