The Basilica of St Peter and St Paul is a Roman Catholic minor basilica and parish church located in Nadur, Gozo in Malta.[1]
History
The parish of Nadur was established by the Bishop of Malta Davide Cocco Palmieri on 28 April 1688. The Immaculate Conception church in Qala served the spiritual needs of the parish until the parish church was constructed. The construction of the present church was started on 28 September 1760 and the design is attributed to the Maltese architect Giuseppe Bonici. Construction on the church finished on 12 May 1867. The third Collegiate chapter of Gozo was established on 19 September 1894.[2]
This church is one of the most beautiful churches on the island. In 1907, a refurbishment programme took place to construct the aisles, dome and façade based on the Italian Renaissance design of Prof. F.S. Sciortino. The ceiling, depicting episodes connected with St Peter and Paul, was painted by the Maltese artist Lazzaro Pisani, while the architectural decorations are the work of the Italian Pio Cellini. Principal force behind all these new projects was Archpriest Martin Camilleri. The church became a minor Basilica on 26 June 1967.[3]
Parish Priests
| Name | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Rev. Bernardo Haber | 1689–1705 |
| Rev. Ignatio Hagius | 1706–1708 |
| Rev. Giovanni Andrea Falson | 1708–1743 |
| Rev. Salvatore Galea | 1743–1778 |
| Rev. Francesco Sapiano | 1778–1812 |
| Rev. Antonino Scasciato | 1812–1827 |
| Rev. Nicola Spiteri | 1828–1853 |
| Rev. Giovanni Battista Grech | 1855–1876 |
| Rev. Giovanni Camilleri | 1881–1894 |
Archpriests:
| Name | Tenure |
|---|---|
| Rev. Can Giovanni Camilleri | 1894–1910 |
| Rev. Can Dr Martino Camilleri | 1910–1921 |
| Rev. Can Antonio Camilleri | 1922–1926 |
| Rev. Can Giuseppe Cassar | 1927–1950 |
| Rev. Can Michele Portelli | 1951–1982 |
| Rev. Mgr Can Salvatore Muscat | 1983–2010 |
| Rev. Can Jimmy Xerri | 2010–2024 |
| Rev. Can Dr Krystof Buttigieg | 2024 - |
References
- 1."Calleja, T. (2009). Talba tal-1753 mill-Kappillan u l-poplu Naduri lill-Granmastru Emanuel Pinto de Fonceca ghat-tkabbir tal-ewwel Knisja Parrokkjali" (PDF). Għaqda Filarmonika Mnarja: 12–16.
- 2."Nadur", Diocese of Gozo, Malta. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
- 3."Nadur", Nadur Parish, Malta. Retrieved 20 October 2016.