St. Catherine's Old Church, Żejtun

St. Catherine's Old Church
St. Catherine's Old Church
St. Gregory's Church
  • Knisja ta' Santa Katerina l-Antika (Maltese)
Façade of St. Catherine's Old Church
Location on a map of Malta
St. Catherine's Old Church, Żejtun (Malta)
35°51′10.6″N 14°32′17.7″E / 35.852944°N 14.538250°E / 35.852944; 14.538250
LocationŻejtun
CountryMalta
DenominationRoman Catholic
TraditionLatin Rite
History
DedicationSaint Catherine of Alexandria
Other dedicationPope St. Gregory
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade 1 Listed building
StyleRenaissance, Gothic and Baroque
GroundbreakingUnknown (current edifice dates from 15th century)
Completed1606 (1606)
Specifications
Length130 feet (40 m)
Width105 feet (32 m)
MaterialsLimestone
Administration
DioceseMalta

St. Catherine's Old Church (Maltese: Knisja ta' Santa Katerina l-Antika), also known as St. Gregory's Church (Maltese: Knisja ta' San Girgor), is a Roman Catholic church in Żejtun. The church and its complex sit towards the outskirts of the town, commanding views over Marsascala Bay, St. Thomas' Bay and Marsaxlokk harbour. The church is colloquially known as Saint Gregory's due to a traditional procession held on the first Wednesday following Easter Sunday. Its dedication to Catherine of Alexandria dates back to an original chapel on this site, which was one of the eight mother churches on Malta. The church stands next to the three cemeteries of Żejtun, dedicated to St. Rocco, St. Gregory and St. Catherine. The church's functions as the parish church of Żejtun were taken over by a new parish church, also dedicated to St. Catherine, and designed by Lorenzo Gafà.

The present day church was built on the site of an older 15th century chapel, also dedicated to St. Catherine, along with an adjacent private chapel dedicated to St. Mark and St. Jacob. Late medieval texts prove that the church became a landmark for seafarers. Over the years, the chapel was restructured and enlarged, with the demolition of the adjacent private chapel. The extensions included the construction of a transept and a dome. The present day façade was probably altered in the 17th century, with the addition of a Renaissance doorway. St. Catherine's Old Church is a working church with prayer and daily mass services. The church is a Grade 1 scheduled building and is listed on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.