The “San Matthew tal-Maqluba” Chapel and Crypt

The smaller of the two chapels dedicated to the Martyrdom of Matthew the apostle; located on the edge of the Maqluba dolite is believed to be one of the oldest crypts on the island.

The age of this tiny place of worship annexed to a much larger 17th century chapel is difficult to assess with certainty, but could be easily assumed to have been built prior to the 15th century. However this crypt was not included in the list of such buildings compiled for the Bishop Senator de Mello by the four commissioners of the Cathedral Chapter, Matteo Zammit, Andrea de Turri, Nicola Lombardo and Antonio de Astis. As this list included only prebends, cononriers, parishes, and benefices, the “San Mattew” crypt, not being beneficed was therefore omitted.

Inquisitor Mgr. Duzzina recorded the first mention of this crypt in the report of his pastoral visit to the Maltese Diocese between 1574 and 1575. In this report, Mgr Duzzina describes the crypt as void of all ornaments and decorations but well provided with the necessities for celebrating Holy services. As it had no rector, the chapel’s care was entrusted to Nina Zammit, a widow from Mqabba, who in turn for a plot of land was to provide for the celebration of Mass and the singing of vespers on the Saint Matthew feast day.

The outside wall surrounding the “San Mattew iz-Zghir” crypt well weathered with age stands in a relative good condition and is typical of such buildings with its rear wall well supported with a sloping buttress. This wall together with that situated to the east of the crypt are pierced by window openings which were either added or widened at a later period as the earlier Maltese chapels lacked elaborate windows, save solely for narrow shafts or circular opening above the main doors.

The crypt’s facade is plain with its wall housing a square entrance devoid of any decorations. A small bell free having been sited above this entrance, known from photographic evidence dating back to 1934, is today missing. This structure could have been removed following structural damage sustained during W.W.II.

The interior of the crypt is a simple rectangular shape with one altar and a little apse decorated with a well-preserved fresco of a scallop shell. This Christian symbol is probably 17th century or later and also features in the early Christian catacombs as well as a small Phoenician necropolis on the brow of the Maghlaq valley in Qrendi

The altar which is carved and decorated in globigerina limestone bears an inscription dating 1897, above which is a surmounted by a terracotta statue of Saint Matthew. This chapel was reported to have had a painting of the saint to which it is dedicated to, this is now untraceable.

The crypt’s flooring as reported by the historian Abela, being covered with flagstones covered by a coating of lime mixed with a coating of ground tiles. More recent interventions have left no trace of this flooring, as the present flagstones seem to be modern.

The size of this crypt has been drastically reduced following the construction of a stairway leading upwards into the larger St Matthew chapel and an adjacent sacristy.

Construction of the larger chapel, also dedicated to the martyrdom of Matthew the apostle started in 1674 and was completed in 1682. It was blessed by Dun Dumnik Formosa Parish Priest of the newly formed parish of Qrendi that together with the hamlets of Hal-Lew and Hal-Manin were dismembered from the larger Zurrieq parish.

The main painting inside the chapel is also dedicated to the martyrdom of Matthew the Apostle and has been attributed to one of the leading artists of the time, Mattia Pretti. It is said to have been commissioned by the French Commendatory Nicola’ Communette. Several other paintings, those of the Ascension into heaven of the Madonna and the Madonna of Rosary of unknown artists also decorate the chapel’s walls

The chapel consists of a simple rectagonal shaped building with a sole altar despite its considerable size. Entrance into the chapel is by means of three doors, one at the façade and the further two at each of the chapel’s sides. The chapel is connected to the smaller crypt and a sacristy that was built at a later date through two small doors at the sides of the main altar. Above the main door, one can find organ galleries build by benefactors Dun Mikiel Zammit and Dun Gio Anton Spiteri that bears the date 1834.
On the 12th April 1942 the larger St Matthew chapel sustained considerable structural damage to its facade following a direct hit by cluster bombs dropped by enemy aircraft. As the damage posed a danger to the chapels structure and its congregation, intervention was recommended on the facade to eliminate any mishap.
Under the guidance of Engineer S. Privitera, A. & C.E., the central cross on the top of the chapel’s facade was replaced with a similar smaller version that was flanked by the construction of two belfry towers. The decorative window on the facade was also enlarged and its height lowered considerable allowing the chapel to benefit from better lightening. The decorative masonry above the main door was also replaced. Both entrances at the sides of the chapel have evidence of later interventions as the rectagonal doorways are strengthened by arched construction.

A staircase consisting of stair corbels protruding from the chapel western side, presumably to enable one to climb on its roof have also been removed. Adjacent to the eastern side entrance, one also finds what is believed to be the doorway of a planned entrance to an underground crypt that might have served for funereal purposes. The date of this intervention seems from photographic evidence, to have occurred after 1934. Another interesting feature is the niche located at the outside rear end of the chapel. Whose purpose is unknown.

As part of the Millennium celebrations, the Qrendi Community embarked on the restoration and embellishment of these unique places of worship in the Maltese islands. The martyrdom of Matthew the Apostle painting stolen in 1984 and recovered some time later was restored and cleaned

With the introduction of kitchen and sanitary facilities within the sacristy, the chapel was now proven due to its serene surroundings, as the ideal place for spiritual retreats.