Selmun area used to belong to a charitable institution called “Monte della Redenzione degli Schiavi” which used to ransom Christian slaves held captive by pirates and Muslims. The same institution built Selmun palace in order to rent it out, and thus with the money derived, it would be able to ransom more Christian slaves. Within the palace there used to be a small church, dedicated to Our Lady of Ransom. Due to the palace being handed over to be used as a hotel, a new church was built in the area. 

The new church was built in 1982 and officially opened in December of that year. Although a modern building, the present church that serves the spiritual needs of the community still possesses the 18th century painting, the work of the French artist, Antoine Favray. It shows the benefactress, Caterina Vitale, presenting the deed of the lands of Selmun to the Order, represented by a female figure. Other figures are showing gratitude to Vitale for her generosity. The upper part of the painting is dominated by the figure of Our Lady of Ransom, St John the Baptist and a multitude of cherubs.