In San Lawrenz on Monday, the official inauguration took place of the completed restoration of the façade of the Parish Church.
Fr Manwel Cutajar celebrated a thanks-giving mass on the occasion of the completion of several projects of restoration and conservation within the Parish Church. The Parish Priest, Fr Injazju Borg and the assistant, Fr Charles Sultana concelebrated with him. During the homily, Fr Cutajar gave a brief history with historic dates in connection with the building of the church over the years.
After the church function, the first day of the San Lawrenz Festival, the Church Façade Restoration Project, co financed by the European Union was inaugurated. The Chorus Urbanus under the direction of Maestro Dr John Galea presented a mucical concert. The programme also included, among others, speeches by the Parish Priest Fr Injazju Borg and the Mayor Noel Formosa.
The restoriation is part of a holistic project being done in collaboration between the Parish of San Larenz and the Local Councils. The project is being financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Operational Programme 1 – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013. Financing from European Union funds amounted to 85% on the cost of the project. The total cost of the project is estimated to reach € 442,515. The project is also receiving assistance through the co-financing fund for local councils, administered by the Parliamentary Secretariat for Public Dialogue and Information.
Other tasks being undertaken as part of the project are the restoration of five Joseph Cali paintings from the church, as well as ongoing work on the restoration of the church organ.
The Minister for Gozo, Govanna Debono and Parliamentary Secretary Dr Chris Said, were present for this inauguration together with other guests who were involved in the church restoration project.