A public lecture by the Malta Historical Society is being organised at the premises of Din l-Art Helwa in Valletta.

The lecture will be delivered by Stephen Degiorgio and it will trace the history of the church of Our Lady of Victory and the origin of its parish status which gave rise to one of the most violent episodes in Maltese church-state relations.

The architectural development of the church is particularly complex and uncertain, with various alterations and additions not yet thoroughly understood. The church, which was the most important place of worship after the conventual church of St John, was widely patronised by a number of guilds which left behind altarpieces and a few artistic relics of particular note. The turbulent French period and the British take-over marked the end of a glorious epoch, stripping the church of most of its valuables and coveted parish status.

Stephen Degiorgio, born in 1952, was educated at St Aloysius College and is an MA graduate Hospitaller Studies from the University of Malta.

His thesis is directly related to the topic being presented for the upcoming lecture: ‘The Hospitaller Church of Our Lady of Victory.’ He currently lectures in the tourist-industry and is embarking on a doctoral dissertation with the Department of History.

The restoration of the church is one of Din l-Art Helwa’s key projects. The lecture is undertaken with the support of the Alfred Mizzi Foundation and will be held on Tuesday, the 20th of May, starting at 6.30pm, at DLH 133, Melita Street Valletta.

The public are invited to attend.

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