Sacred Heart Church Of Tirana

The Sacred Heart Church in Tirana, Albania (Albanian: Zemra e Krishtit Catholic Church of Tirana) is a Roman Catholic church. It is the city’s oldest Catholic church, having been built in 1939 during Italy’s invasion of Albania.

The Italians constructed the Sacred Heart Church during their invasion of Albania in 1939. It was closed in 1967, when Albania abolished all faiths.

Despite its condition of deterioration, the church was utilized as a hideaway by Catholics during Albania’s 1967-1990 religious prohibition.During that time period, a wall was constructed in front of the church’s façade.

In 1990, it reopened. Although the bell-tower was demolished, the bell was spared. Due to the fact that the adjoining Orthodox church had a bell tower but lacked a bell, the Sacred Heart’s bell was donated to them. Thus, the two faiths utilize the same instrument to summon the faithful metaphorically. The Christian community also profited from the assistance provided to Albania’s Muslims by Catholic organisations. Aid to the Church in Need also gathered donations for the church’s restoration.

Mother Teresa made a visit to the church in 1991, which had previously served as her primary school and was situated on the street where she lived. Mother Teresa was confirmed and received her first communion at Skopje’s Sacred Heart Church.