Manikata Church - Richard England

At the time of its inauguration, the Manikata Church in Malta symbolized the new spirit of the Church as defined by the Vatican Council in 1963. This study highlights the way in which these new directives in architecture were introduced. The new spirit of the Church was revealed in the way greater emphasis was placed on the building to be the "house of the community", reflecting the local character and culture rather than the "house of God". Signs of worship - altar, lectern and presidential chair - were highlighted, while all other devotional objects were rendered inconspicuous; earlier churches tended to be cluttered with altars placed in several chapels.