The first church on site appeared in 1584 – soon after Bormla was set apart from the Vittoriosa parish. This church became a Parish in 1587, and was enlarged in 1637, and yet again in 1732 when the Oratory of the Crucifix was built. This was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception after a chapel that was built between 1627-30 and dedicated to the same vocation was abandoned in 1686. Consecrated in 1732, the church was elevated to the dignity of a Collegiate Church by Pope Pius VII in 1828, before being enlarged again in 1880.
The image of the Blessed Virgin above the high altar was crowned by Cardinal Domenico Ferrata in 1905, and further adorned in 1955 when a 12 star silver halo was added by Cardinal Tedeschini.
The original statue of the Immaculate Conception is believed to have been carved out of the trunk of a carob tree by Suor Maria de Domenicis at around 1680. In 1905 the statue was completely covered in silver except for the head, hands and feet.
The church is enriched by other works of art such as masterpieces by renowned painters, sculpted statues – including that of St Michael in wood and a 17
th Century wooden crucifix – as well as a number of artefacts in silver and gold.