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
35°51′10.6″N 14°32′17.7″E / 35.852944°N 14.538250°E / 35.852944; 14.538250Coordinates: 35°51′10.6″N 14°32′17.7″E / 35.852944°N 14.538250°E / 35.852944; 14.538250
Location	Żejtun
Country	Malta
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Tradition	Latin Rite
History
Dedication	Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Other dedication	Pope St. Gregory
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade 1 Listed building
Style	Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque
Groundbreaking	Unknown, (Current edifice dates from 15th century)
Completed	1606 (1606)
Specifications
Length	130 feet (40 m)
Width	105 feet (32 m)
Materials	Limestone
Administration
Diocese	Malta

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 the fifth 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 two transepts 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.