TIRANA, December 24 – On Christmas Eve 1939, the Jesuit Church of Tirana, dedicated to the “Sacred Heart of Christ,” held its first Mass.

The Latin-rite Catholic church is located on Kavaja Street, west of Skanderbeg Square. Construction began in 1938 under architect Giovanni Santi (1901–1983). Santi, an Italian architect, was known for his modernist churches in Friuli Venezia Giulia and his work in Tirana commissioned by the Jesuits. His career included competitions for major religious projects influenced by modernist trends. With its inauguration, “Sacred Heart of Christ” became one of three Catholic churches in Tirana during the pre-communist era.

After Albania declared itself the first atheist country in the world and persecuted the clergy, the church was converted into the “Rinia” cinema in 1976. The façade underwent modifications to accommodate the new function.

After the fall of the dictatorship, the church regained its original façade. It reopened to worshippers in 1991. In 1997, the church hosted a commemorative Mass for Albanian humanitarian Mother Teresa.

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