Before the beginning of the 20th century, this part of Sliema was very thinly populated. Yet even so, the few inhabitants were in dire need of spiritual care. The man who thought of giving it was Father Paul Vella, a diocesan priest from Valletta. He used to cross over to Sliema almost daily to give religious instructions to the children of this area. Gradually, he realised that, as the population was increasing, a church had to be built to meet the spiritual needs of the faithful. Father Vella had to face many difficulties, yet in 1877 he rejoiced to see the laying of the foundation-stone of the new church which was going to be dedicated to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. With ecclesiastical approval, this church was erected as a monument to Pope Pius IX on the occasion of the golden jubilee of his episcopate.



The new church took four years to build and immediately became the spiritual centre of the area. Father Vella was a zealous priest and he saw that those who came to his church felt the necessity of living a full Chirstian life. His love for souls became proverbial, yet his very weak health compelled him to ask the Friars Minor to take over the running of the church. With the consent of the Archbishop this was done, and the Provincial Minister of the Franciscans, Fr. Anthony M. Cesal O.F.M., in the name of the Maltese Province took the church under his care. This was in 1881. Father Vella returned to Valletta, but his health declined rapidly and in 1883 he went to his eternal rest.

The Franciscans, animated by the spiritual zeal of Father Paul became the new custodians of the Sanctuary. Under their care the devotion towards Our Lady increased, the Sanctuary was embellished and the spiritual care extended to a greater number of souls.
In 1918 the church was declared a parish. When it became too small for the ever increasing population, extenion work began in 1934. Thus the old façade had to be pulled down. In two years time the work was completed. During the last war, the Sanctuary was heavily damaged, yet the beautiful statue escaped harm from the debris falling all round it. The Friary was completely destroyed, yet the Friars remained in their parish to attend to the needs of the people. Today, as ever, the Sanctuary of Our Lady is a spiritual oasis for those who seek to give a Christian meaning to their life.