The church’s titular painting, the largest known canvas by Mattia Preti in Malta, represents the martyrdom of St Lawrence. This is a remarkable composition in the Neapolitan baroque style.

St. Lawrence Church in New Bedford ... and the work will be done in the spring. The $200,000 painting-plastering project could begin following Easter, but that will depend on fundraising efforts.

The painting’s title, The Bird Shop, St. Lawrence Street, may seem a bit mysterious since the lit windows provide only the slightest hint of colourful things for sale – and the street had ...