The museum is housed in the new parish centre, next to Attard parish church and boasts various religious artefacts such as paintings, statues, crucifixes and an old pulpit that was used before being replaced by the modern lectern. Most of these artefacts, especially the paintings, are in dire need of restoration.

Presenting the sponsorship, BOV’s Attard branch manager Rosanne Petrocochino said: “Bank of Valletta is committed to play an active role within the community in which it operates. BOV understands that it has a corporate social responsibility to fulfil. In this regard, BOV is a leading patron of arts and culture and supports initiatives not only on a national scale but also at the local level, as can be evidenced by the support that is being extended to the Attard parish museum.”

Thanking the bank for its contribution, Attard parish priest, Fr Dione Cutajar said: “The artefacts on display in this museum tell the story of Attard parish church, which was opened in 1613. Some of the paintings are well over 100 years old and some urgently need professional restoration. Thanks to the support of Bank of Valletta, we can continue the restoration work of our museum and thus protect our rich and unique heritage”.

The parish museum was originally established in 1987 and for some years was kept going by the brothers Zammit: Alessio, Abel and Guzeppi. It has recently been professionally organised by art historians Mario Buhagiar and Keith Sciberras.

The collection mainly includes works of art that used to decorate the parish church and smaller churches in Attard and there are also a number of private donations.

The museum also houses the register containing the record of the baptism of Tommaso Dingli,

the famous architect who built the Church at the age of 22.