The Ghajnsielem community gathered at the Old Parish Church
to celebrate the anniversary of the consecration of the
church.
By the middle of the 19th century, there
were about 800 people living in Ghajnsielem. The inhabitants
were finding it difficult to to go up to the Nadur parish
church to hear mass and carry out their religious duties and
satisfy their spiritual needs. And although they had their
own chapel, they did not have the constant spiritual
assistance a growing population would normally require.
The first
vicar in charge was Dun Guzepp Xerri, who was succeeded by
Dun Frangisk Xkembri and in 1842 by Dun Anton Cauchi from
Rabat. He succeeded to convince Archbishop Publios Sant to
erect a new parish church. In 1854, the region became vice
parish and the procedure for the establishment of a parish
was set in motion. Ghajnsielem was officially established as
parish in 1855.
