[2] Bishop Baldassare Cagliares made a pastoral visit to various churches in Birkirkara in 1615, including to one dedicated to the Assumption of Mary which was referred to as Tal-Ħerba (meaning "of the ruin" in the Maltese language).

The origins of this name or nickname are unclear, and a discredited theory stated it was a corruption of Tal-Ħarba (meaning "of the escape") in reference to fleeing Ottoman troops after the Great Siege of Malta of 1565.

It might also be the case that the church was known as Tal-Ħerba because it was already old by the early 17th century,[1] or that it got its name from the ruinous state of its surroundings at the time of its construction.

[3] According to tradition, at one point a crippled man who had crutches heard the church's bell ringing and was miraculously healed after entering the building.

This supposed miracle led to increased devotion to Our Lady of Tal-Ħerba among the Maltese population, and the church is said to have also attracted visitors from Sicily, mainland Italy, England, France and Spain.

[1] A long parvis is located in front of the church's façade,[3] and a staircase leads to a portico which is topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary.

[1] The church's altarpiece depicts the Virgin Mary along with John the Baptist, a guardian angel and souls in purgatory.