Originally a small chapel expanded in 1907 to meet the needs of the growing Maronite community, the Church of Saint Elie in Beirut was severely damaged during the Lebanese War (1975-1990). In 2001, the structure was restored under the direction of Saïd Bitar, who sought to enhance the mystical character of the interiors by highlighting the building's volumes and the natural textures of its stone. He achieved this by removing all the interior plasterwork and adding paintings by Rana Raounda and stained-glass windows by Jacques Guitton. Nearly twenty years after the completion of the restoration project, a new lighting system was installed in the Church by Cherine Saroufim of the IDEPCONSULT studio - Mounir Saroufim et Associés. This project uses light to redesign the architectural elements of the church by enhancing their colors and their earthy appearance. The Saint Elie Church in Kantari Beirut has in recent years become the place of prayer and celebrations for the Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta in Beirut. The Stained Glass Windows of the Church, after having suffered heavy damage following the explosion of August 4, were able to be restored with funds from the Order of Malta Lebanon, hence the integration of the Cross of the Order in certain parts of the stained-glass windows of the transept and the creation of an oratory dedicated to the Virgin and Child, offered to the Church by the Lebanese Association.