It was built in the 17th century, and it has a Renaissance design attributed to the architects Vittorio Cassar and Tommaso Dingli.

The Parish Church of St. Mary is located outside the historic centre of Birkirkara, and it was built on a hill so as to be protected from corsair attacks.

Bishop Vincenzo Labini visited the church in 1787, and he found it in a state of disrepair, with the roof in danger of collapsing.

It is now the third parish of Birkirkara, along with those of St. Helen and St. Joseph the worker[4] There are currently some structural problems with the church, and there are several cracks within its walls.

[8] The church's façade has Corinthian pilasters, and the central bay has an arched main doorway flanked by columns on either side.

The door is topped by five escutcheons containing coats of arms, including those of King Philip II of Spain, Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, Bishop Baldassare Cagliares and the parish priest Don Filippo Borg.