Important restoration work has been carried out at St Michael’s Chapel, limits of Naxxar, and which is within walking distance of Kennedy Grove. This project was financially supported by the Malta Environment & Planning Authority, through the Environment Initiative Partnership Programme (EIPP) fund, but would not have been realised without the personal and financial intervention of businessman Mark Vassallo.

The aim of the EIPP is to enhance and protect Malta’s natural environment and cultural heritage using funds secured through what is known as “Planning Gain”. Planning Gain is often sought by MEPA as a means of environmental compensation for impacts that may result from development, which impacts cannot be reasonably mitigated. The Planning Gain used in this case was a condition imposed on the development application permit granted for the construction of a residence in the vicinity.

The extensive work carried out in the chapel included the restoration of the façade, in particular the small niche above the doorway, the carved stone terminal spheres, the bell tower and stone cross on the rooftop. Other work included the removal of old cement repairs and other defective rendering, the restoration of the side elevation outer and inner walls, the ceiling and adjacent sacristy. Maintenance work was carried out on the rooftop, the stone steps leading up to the doorway, the stone-carved sculptural motif surrounding the titular painting and the polychrome altar. Work still needs to be done to the landscape around the chapel.

Situated close to the more visible chapel dedicated to the Annunciation in Salina, the Chapel of St. Michael’s was built in around 1652, possibly with funds from the alms of the people of Naxxar. Records also show that in 1659, a certain Girolama Zammit created a foundation for a sung Mass and a sermon on the feast of St Michael and for the singing of vespers on the eve.

The chapel was used regularly in the first half of the 20th century, when the rural community residing in the area collected 25 shillings (Lm1.25c) for the celebration of Holy Mass every Sunday. After the last war, the MUSEUM society used it to hold meetings.

At present, the chapel, which today forms part of the Burmarrad Parish Church, is used only for Mass on the last Sunday in September, the feast of St Michael. Through the EIPP scheme, MEPA is also financing various other projects in and around the Maltese Islands. These include the restoration of dilapidated historic buildings and structures, maintenance of derelict archaeological sites, tree planting projects, embellishment works, and projects related to the marine environment.