HISTORY OF ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY
VILLA LIJA A.D. 1880

The history of St. Andrew's Society takes us back to 1880, when Luigi Agius, a youth of 15 years together with Michaele Camilleri, founded this Society, after a rift with the first ever established club in Lija - Circolo Giovanile Liense. The latter was founded in 1878.

These two hard working founders soon rented a house - No.2, Bakery Street, behind St. Andrew's Church. The Society was named after the Apostle St. Andrew, since the club was founded just next to this church. From the very beginning of its existence, the members started to work on street decorations for the feast of Our Saviour transfigurated on Mount Tabor. Besides, at the same time, the club was furnished by all the necessary furniture and basic requirements. However, soon after and when the club was flourishing with new members, the club house was retrieved by the owner. This was a real set back, since the members had to find an alternative place to accommodate the furnishings together with all the street decorations. Luckily enough, they rented a store adjacent to 'Casa d'Amico', and after three months they rented a house - No. 32, St. Andrew's Street. They didn't stay long, and soon after they moved once again to their original building, just behind St. Andrew's Church. In 1917, during World War I, the owner once again required the house for one of his relatives, and the committee rented a house at No. 33, St. Andrew's Street. In 1921, the committee and members commissioned the first standard of the club. A truly magnificent work of art, a design by Luigi Fenech and was embroidered in gold by the Franciscan Sisters of Balzan. The standard was blessed by Lija Parish priest Dun Vincenz Curmi.

In 1922, the Society acquired one of the most magnificent palaces to be found in Lija, that of No. 38-39-40, St. Andrew's Street. At those times, one of the most active members was Maestro Antonio Azzopardi, who besides being the general secretary of the Society, he also founded an orchestra. During these fantastic years for our society, the President was Luigi Portelli and Treasurer Saviour Fenech. In 1922, the society opened for the very first time a bar and Angelo Fenech (tal-Percius) was the very first person to run it on a daily basis.

After ten years, the owner of the premises took possession of the club house once again. The committee rented a house in 144, Main Street. This house needed a lot of renovation, refurbishment and alterations to accommodate the full size snooker table that was acquired some years back. However in 1939, the committee once again took possession of the palace mainly No. 39, St. Andrew's Street, which is still being used as the club house till this day.

Feast decorations

In 1864, the titular statue of Our Saviour was inaugurated. A truly magnificent work of art by Senglea born Carlo Darmanin. During those times, there was no or very little interest in street decorations for festa time. However along the years when these festa clubs were established, interest increased year after year. The first piece of wooden decoration to adorn our streets was an arch on four decorative pedestals, known as 'il-kuruna', a design by Luigi Engerer Preca. This used to be put up next to St. Andrew's Church. A few years after, two statues were commissioned. One depicting Melkisedek, a work of art by Carlo Darmanin and the Prophet Moses on that high pedestal. As time went by, street decorations included also the festa lights. Our Society always was in charge of decorating the adjacent streets in the vicinity of our club house. Along the years, street decorations continue to increase in a rapid manner. Recently four decorative angels were commissioned to Gozitan artist James Azzopardi. These were inaugurated in 2005, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the foundation of our Society. Besides all this, our society also decorates St. Andrew's Street with specific decorations for the occasion of the feast of the Sacred Heart in Jesus which is celebrated with dignity and respect in our parish.

Founding of St. Andrew's Orchestra

In 1922, our Society founded what was well known as St. Andrew's Orchestra or better known in maltese as 'Orchestra Mandolinistika Sant' Andrija'. This was the work of Maestro Antonio Azzopardi who was the first bandmaster and also at those times as mentioned earlier on, the general secretary of our Society. The orchestra flourished with new members in a relatively short time and was very well renowned for its performance. During summer time, it used to play merry marches along the quaint streets of our village, while the parishioners used to applaud the members and bandmaster of the orchestra as they pass by. However, in 1928, parish priest Antonio Buhagiar thought otherwise about this new initiative, and recommended to the central committee that the playing of merry marches in the club premises must stop once and for all, since families including females used to attend these performances in the evenings. Although there was nothing wrong with these performances, the committee had no option but to obey the parish priest advice.

Along the years, our Society always sought to commission bands for the feast of Our Saviour. These used to play band marches on the eve and feast day. Today band marches are still commissioned for the feast.

When Lija was still without electrical supply, the Society used to organize a well known band march, nicknamed as 'Ta' l-Istilla'. Hence, our Society was nicknamed as 'Ta' l-Istilla' and as it is still known today . This was very popular amongst the locals.

The day after feast day, the keen members of our society used to wake up early to remove all the street decorations and afterwards they used to have lunch at Masu Pirotta wine bar. In recent years, this tradition was followed and lunch is being organized at the clubs' premises.

Christmas festivities

During Christmas time, our Society decorates the streets with Christmas illuminations. In 2005, the committee took the initiative to organize a Live Crib in St. Andrew's Street which turned up to be a great success and very well attended. During Christmas time, the committee organizes Get-Togethers, children parties and even a disco for youths

St. Michael's Firework's Factory

In 1925, on a personal initiative of Salvatore Fenech who at those times was also the treasurer of our Society, started to build St. Michael's Firework's Factory adjacent to St. Michael's chapel in Iklin, with the help of various benefactors. Along the years, this fireworks factory made a quality leap in its production and is internationally renowned for its spectacular fireworks. In 1980, St. Michael's Firework's Factory placed first in an international pyrotechnic competition. Recently it acquired similar prestigious results in international competitions held in Malta.

Inauguration of Club's Chapel

In 1922, the committee inaugurated a chapel in the club's premises dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In this chapel the members of the club used to recite the rosary when a member was deceased for three consecutive days. In olden days mass on special occasions was organized by the spiritual director.

In 1923, parish priest Anton Buhagiar consecrated the chapel to The Sacred Heart of Jesus. After 25 years in 1948, this chapel was consecrated once again.

The Society during World War II

During World War II, the club's premises was literally invaded by refugees who sought safe shelter. In fact a war shelter was dug up underneath the club's premises for this purpose. The club continued to function during these difficult years and had to use only one room as a bar to accommodate members.

Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle

In 1945, our society founded the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle in a decree by the Archbishop Curia. In this decree, it was established that high mass was to be celebrated in the parish church of Lija on the 30th November of each year to commemorate the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, patron saint of our Society.

Commemoration in honour of Parish priest Dun Karm Lia

In 1946, our society organized a feast for parish priest Dun Karm Lia to commemorate his 15th anniversary as parish priest. During a reception held at the club's premises in his honour, the much respected parish priest offered his precious ring to the President of our Society, Luigi Portelli as a sign of mutual respect between the parish church and our Society. After his demise in December 1959, our Society in collaboration with other local clubs and organizations passed on this precious ring to the parish church museum to be put on show. Months before his termination as parish priest, Dun Karm Lia presented an oil based self portrait to our Society to be hung in the main club's hall

Celebrations to mark the 75th Anniversary

In 1955, our society celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding with numerous social and cultural activities.

Reception in honour of Parish priest Innocenz Borg
In 1956, our Society hosted a reception in honour of Parish priest Fr. Innocenz Borg on his termination as parish priest

Archbishop Gonzi at the club's premsies

On the 11th March, 1962, Archbishop Michael Gonzi came to Lija to bless and inaugurate a new tabernacle that was just installed in our parish church. After a concelebrated mass to mark this event, Archbishop Gonzi accompanied by the parish priest Dun Beneditt N. Fsadni and all the clergy visited our club for a reception. The President of the Society, Elia Micallef and the Archbishop exchanged greetings and speeches were held. In return, Archbishop Gonzi presented his 'callotte' to the President to be kept in the club's main hall as a reminder of his visit to our club. He also presented to our club a self signed portrait.

Presentation of oil painting of Parish priest Dun Karm Lia

In 1963, on the initiative of our Society and in collaboration with our local organizations, a oil based portrait painting of parish priest Dun Karm Lia by Cav. Rafel Bonnici Cali was presented to the then parish priest Dun Beneditt N. Fsadni. Just a few months before his termination as parish priest, Dun Beneditt N. Fsadni presented a self oil painting to our Society to be hung in the club's main hall.

Financial support to parish church

Our Society always helped financially the parish church in ambitious projects undertaken throughout the years. Mainly one can mention a substantial contribution in 1947, for the newly acquired bells from Loughborough England. Other contributions were made to restore the fifth station of the 'Way of the Cross' to be found in the parish church. Financial support was also given to parish priest Dun Alfred Xuereb for the new niche of the titular statue, and more recently a donation to parish priest Dun David Gauci for the extensive restoration taking place mainly the façade and steeple of our parish church to preserve the Cali paintings .

Presentation of official Standards

On the 8th of August, 1971, Salvatore Sammut(Lawriku), an emigrant, presented two standards to our Society. - a Maltese and American Standard.

In December, 2003, Profs. H. Semar, a benefactor of our Society presented a German standard, while during the feasts to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the club, the Mayor of Lija Ms. Magda Magri Naudi, together with the members of the Lija local council, presented to our Society a standard depicting the emblem of Lija.

In 2006, Mario Sammut in the name of the committee: 'Minn Hal Lija u Kburi', an organization set up in Australia to celebrate the feast of Our Saviour, presented to our Society an Australian Standard

Commemoration in honour of newly appointed parish priest Alfred Xuereb

It was the 1st of February, 1970 when Lija born priest Fr. Alfred Xuereb was nominated as parish priest of Lija. It was one of the best organized feasts in recognition of this newly appointed parish priest for years. The then President of our Society, Lino Portelli welcomed Fr. Alfred Xuereb with flowers just in front of the club house while members and other locals assisted him to the church for a thanksgiving mass in his honour. A memorable large photo hangs in the main club hall to commemorate this event.

Spiritual Directors

The first spiritual director was appointed after the second world war - the Lija born priest, Fr. Saviour Agius. Before being ordained as a priest he used to work at the dockyards, besides being an active member of our Society. His family including his father Saviour were all members of the Society. On reaching retiring age, he decided to step down from spiritual director due to health reasons. Fr. Saviour Agius died on the 28th October, 1978.

The administration of the club appointed his successor - Fr. Saviour Sammut. Along these years, Fr. Sammut always participated and was physically present in all activities organized by the Society, besides being always on time everyday at the club to talk to club members. On Thursday 12th February, 2004, Fr. Saviour Sammut had his 80th birthday, and the club's administration deem fit to organize a reception in honour of Fr. Sammut. He was also presented with a token.

The 100th anniversary of the founding of the society in 1880.

In 1980, the Society commemorated with much pomp the 100th anniversary from its foundation in 1880. Numerous social and cultural activities were held to commemorate this very important event.

Recreation

Besides the service of a bar, the Society introduced throughout the years, a full size snooker table, table tennis, table soccer, billiards and other attractive indoor games suitable both for youths and adults. Besides all this, the committee organizes from time to time, dinners, maltese nights, barbeques, get-togethers, receptions, Christmas parties etc.

Maltese Night

The first ever Maltese Night to be held was way back in 2001 in collaboration with the Lija Local Council. This was held in the square just in front of the club's premises and was a huge success with numerous well known singers taking part. This is an annual event organized as part of the feast of Our Saviour.

Publications

Our Society takes the responsibility to publish two special festa books on a yearly basis. One is published on the occasion of the feast of Our Saviour, and another one for Christmas Time. A Calendar is also published.

The 125th anniversary of the founding of the society in 1880.

In the year 2005, our Society celebrated in style the 125th anniversary of its founding by numerous activities. An official logo was presented at the beginning of the year which was hung on the club's façade throughout the entire year. The logo said: '125 years of History and Cultural activity in Lija' During festa time a stone statue of St. Andrew was inaugurated in the club's garden together with two angels holding trumpets just in front of the club's premises A reception was held prior to the feast where the main guest of honour was His. Ecc. Dott. Edward Fenech Adami, President of Malta. Our Society had also the honour to receive papal blessing from the newly appointed Pope Benedict XVI in commemoration of this event.

Commemoration in honour of Mons. Alfred Xuereb

On the 1st of February, 2006, a remarkable day for Mons. Alfred Xuereb since he was installed as parish priest on the 1st of February, 1970, the committee deemed fit to organize a reception in honour of Mons. Xuereb and mark this anniversary by the inauguration of a self portrait picture of Mons. Xuereb in the club's main hall.

Launching of official website-www.santandrijalija.com

On the 6th of July 2006, a remarkable day for Lija, since the local council celebrates 'Lija Day', our Society took a courageous step forward by launching this official website on a professional basis. This proved to be a success from the very beginning and many web searches enter this website to seek information about the quaint village of Lija and above all about St. Andrew's Society of Lija, to read about its great history and achievements throughout the years.

Conclusion

Throughout the years, St. Andrew's Society had to overcome various obstacles and hurdles, however its members were united all along, and always had the courage and the means to overcome such difficulties to keep this Society running after all these years. From the original name of 'Circolo San Andrea' way back in 1880, this Society never looked back and works hard to brace the future with enthusiasm through the dynamic and very well organized committee which has the sole responsibility to keep this glorious Society in high esteem amongst its locals and emigrants alike.

References:

1980 - Cutajar, G., 'Historical information about St. Andrew's Society'.

Minutes from committee meeting and general meetings.