Corpus Christi Church, Għasri
The Corpus Christi Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Għasri, in Gozo, Malta. It forms part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gozo. It is under current administration of the V.R. Mgr Edward Xuereb. [1]
| Corpus Christi Church | |
|---|---|
| Corpus Christi Parish Church | |
Il-Knisja Parrokkjali ta' Kristu Ewkaristiku Salvatur | |
 The façade of the parish church. | |
| |
| 36°03′31.8″N 14°13′34.8″E | |
| Location | Għasri, Gozo, Malta |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | Għasri Parish on Facebook |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founded | 16 December 1921 (as a parish) |
| Dedication | Corpus Christi and Christ the Saviour |
| Dedicated | 1916 |
| Consecrated | 1916 |
| Relics held | Piece of the Holy Cross of Our Lord |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Architect(s) | Rev. Mgr. Archpriest Ġużepp Diacono |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Baroque |
| Years built | 1903–1916 |
| Groundbreaking | 6 September 1903 |
| Completed | 9 January 1916 (consecration) |
| Specifications | |
| Number of domes | 5 (1 large dome and 4 small ones) |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Bells | 4 (1930) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Corpus Christi Parish |
| Metropolis |  Metropolitan Archdiocese of Malta |
| Diocese |  Diocese of Gozo |
| Province | Malta |
| Clergy | |
| Priest in charge | Very Rev. Mgr Dr Edward Xuereb |
| Assistant priest(s) | Rev. Mgr Dekan. Michael Mintoff |
| Laity | |
| Music group(s) | Lauda Sion |
| Servers' guild | Abbatini tal-Parroċċa tal-Għasri (Għasri Parish Altar Servers) |
 | |
Elevation to Parish Church
By a decree issued on 19 May 1921, Pope Benedict XV authorised the formation of the Corpus Christi Parish - one of the newest parishes in the diocese - with the Corpus Christi Church as the parish church.
Artwork
The Chancel
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The titular altarpiece is The Last Supper by Lazzaro Pisani and is located in the choir. It was commissioned by the then-curator and vice-parish priest the Rev. Fr. Carmelo Caruana. The painting was installed in 1917. By 2007, due to the weight of the canvas itself, creases were forming in the painting and it was getting unstuck from its frame. BOV sponsored the restoration.[2] The restoration was carried out by Emanuel Zammit, from Żejtun following his other works in the Cathedral of the Assumption in Gozo.[3]
The decorator Antonio Agius is responsible for the frame, which was done a year later. This, and his other works in the parish church are considered to be his climax.[4]
Parish Priests
| Name | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Date of Installment | Termination of Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dun Ġużepp Galea | 16 Jan 1892 | 24 Dec 1936 | 5 Mar 1922 | 1924 (resigned) |
| 2 | Dun M'Anġ Grima | 26 Jul 1888 | 21 Nov 1968 | 31 Oct 1924 | 1929 (transferred) |
| 3 | Rev. Salv Scicluna | 22 Jul 1888 | 12 Mar 1944 | 19 Mar 1929 | 1937 (transferred) |
| 4 | Rev. Franġisk Mercieca | 24 Feb 1891 | 27 Nov 1964 | 23 May 1937 | 1938 (transferred) |
| 5 | Rev. Manwel Xerri | 30 Jan 1895 | 12 Dec 1964 | 26 May 1938 | 1948 (transferred) |
| 6 | Rev. Ġużepp Borg | 4 Nov 1912 | Unknown | 7 Nov 1948 | 1951 (transferred) |
| 7 | Rev. Can. Dun Karm Vella | 17 Jan 1915 | 11 Mar 1969 | 9 Sep 1951 | 1965 (transferred) |
| 8 | Rev. Ġwann Cini | 21 Dec 1935 | Unknown | 25 Apr 1965 | 1969 (transferred) |
| 9 | Rev. Mgr Ġużeppi Mintoff | 17 Mar 1937 | 21 Sep 2014 | 1 Jun 1969 | 31 Mar 1992 (resigned) |
| 10 | Rev. Ġużepp Cini | 19 Feb 1949 | - | 6 Jun 1992 | 6 Sep 2003 (resigned) |
| 11 | Very Rev. Mgr Dr Edward Xuereb J.U.D., S.Th.B (Ang). | 12 Apr 1970 | - | 28 Mar | (incumbent) |
Restoration
In 2018, after obtaining funds from the EU, the facade (including the bell towers), and the left side of the church are being restored.
Pictures
References
- http://gozodiocese.org/churches/parishes/ghasri/
- "BoV supports restoration of Ghasri parish titular painting". Times of Malta. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- "Ghasri titular painting restored". Times of Malta. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- "Remembering the legacy of Vittoriosa artist and decorator Antonio Agius". Times of Malta. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
- Calleja, Anthony. Il-Korpus.