A colonization scheme in the remote village of Molkawa, 30 miles to the East of Kalutara, had attracted a number of Christian families in the mid-1940’s. The new settlers came under the pastoral care of the vicar of Kalutara. In 1945 the church received, on a 99 year lease, a land with an extent of 2 acres 2 roods and 15 perches to build a church and a mission house.
The building of the mission house was undertaken first and a catechist had been appointed to reside there and to look after the Christian community. The church was build through the initiative and the untiring efforts of the Rev. T.C.J Peiris. It was dedicated for divine worship in 1954 by the Rt. Rev. A.R. Graham Campbell, the Eighth Bishop of Colombo.
After the initial outburst of enthusiasm activity died down, within the matter of a few years, numbers in the congregation begin to dwindle gradually with the exodus of Christian youth from the colony to take up jobs in Colombo in preference to taking to farming and cultivation under the colonization scheme.
With the passage of time the few Christian families that were left behind found themselves bereft of regular pastoral care, and the church building itself fell into a sorry state of disrepair. After a visit by the Archdeacon in February 1986 he reported that besides numerous other minor damages to the church about 1/3 of the roof and all the doors and windows of the church were missing, and estimates for repairs were fully forwarded.
Within the next few months, with a grant of Rs 17, 700 received from the Diocese, the most urgent repairs to the church were effected. With the basic repairs completed the church was re-dedicated for divine worship with a service of thanksgiving conducted by the Bishop of Colombo on 11 October 1986.
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Church of the Resurrection, Karawa, Molkawa, Sri Lanka
The early history of St. John’s Church, Kalutara, was the subject of an interesting address by the Rev. Dr. G.B Ekanayake at the parish social given in connection with the Diamond Jubilee of the Church at the Kalutara Town Hall.
“The first move to build an Anglican Church at Kalutara, Dr. Ekanayake said, was made on 26 July, 1858. Bishop Chapman during a visit to Kalutara wrote on that date asking Government for a site for a Church as follows:-“ On behalf of the very respectable congregation numbering between 60 and 70 persons assembled yesterday for Divine service both morning and afternoon in the Court House at this station. I have the honour to request that your Excellency will kindly grant a site for the erection of a Church for their accommodation.”
To this, the Governor, Sir Henry Ward, replied on 12 August, 1856, to the effect that when the Government was informed of the amount of the local subscription towards the proposed Church at “Kalutara”, there would probably be little difficulty in granting the site for its erection, but that it was unusual to give the land without some previous assurance that there would be funds sufficient to erect a Church. Before and after those letters, the services were held in the Courthouse 1867 when the request for a site was renewed by Bishop Claughton, the Successor of Bishop Chapman.
After the site was granted there was again an interval of seven years during which very little was done.
Some subscriptions were promised but they were not called in. But in 1874, Mr. A Young Adams came as District Judge and there was a revival of interest. The promised subscriptions were collected. In some cases double the promised amount was paid. In December 1874, the foundation stone was laid by Mrs. A. Young Adams. There were some interesting and humorous references to the way in which the furnishing and the building of the Church was promoted between the years 1876-1894.
The Kalutara correspondent to the “Ceylon Examiner” wrote on 15 December, 1874:- “ A very young Procter, Mr. Francis L Daniel from Colombo, who narrowly escaped being drowned here whilst crossing over to the maze has presented a font to the new Church, on which has been written “ caution to young men:- Beware of crossing over to the maze in company with the owner of the Bungalow, which goes by that name. His zeal for the Church is so great that he will not hesitate to duck the very best fellow he can lay hold of, if he can thereby gain his great object of getting a donation for the Church.”
Dr. Ekanayake then proceeded to trace the subsequent history of the Church till its consecration on 27 December, 1876.
The Church, which is situated in an ideal position, is a landmark of Kalutara. It was built and consecrated on 27 December 1876-The feast of St. John-when Rev. Duthy was Vicar.
This Church built by Gate Mudliyar Susew De Soysa and his wife Engeltina De Soysa (nee Peiris) was dedicated to St. John the Evangelist and consecrated by Bishop R.S. Copleston on September 14 1876. The occasion was honoured by the presence of the Governor Sir William Gregory. The foundation stone to build the Church was laid by Bishop H.W. Jermyn in 1875.
The land on which the Church stands had been given on a crown grant, to the Bishop of Colombo, the Incumbent of the Church, and Mudliyar Susew De Soysa. They were appointed Trustees of the Church on 17.1.1873. Following the death of Mudliyar De Soysa his nephew Charles Henry De Soysa was appointed a Trustee on 23.5.1884.
The original Church was a brick building faced with white stones and slates had been used for the roof. In shape it was cruciform, having doors at the West, North and South extremities of which the West door was the Chief entrance. The East window above the altar was of richly coloured stained glass, containing in the center panel the figure of St. John. This window is not just another work of art, but one with much meaning and significance. There was a small open verandah at the main entrance and a small room outside the door towards the river, distinct form the Church itself, which was used as the vestry.
The interior was handsomely fitted with jackwood sittings and the altar was beautifully carved using a combination of several ornamental wood in the island, The building was capable of seating about one hundred and twenty persons and was built under the personal supervision of the donor. The architect was Mr. Ames of Kalibokke and we understand it had cost the Mudliyar pounds 1200 sterling. Mudliyar De Soysa and his wife lie buried in the aisle of the Church.
Prior to the building of the Church, services were held since 1848 for a small worshipping Christian community, in the government English school building, which stood on almost the same site where the Church stands today. Mudliyar De Soysa having conceived the idea in constructing a temple to God, gave the government a school building across the road, and succeeded in taking over the original school land by the river for the Church and a graveyard.
It is learnt that the Diocese of Colombo having been inaugurated in 1845, Bishop Chapman had visited these areas horseback and encouraged the formation of a parish with the catechist, overlooked by the Colonial Chaplains of Moratuwa. The first incumbent of the Panadura Parish was the Rev. Fransisco De Mel, who served the parish for 35 years first as a catechist for four years and thereafter as a clergyman from 1852. The parish entrusted to him extended from the old bridge at Digarolle Moratuwa, as far down as the Kalutara River and included Horetuduwa and Sarikkamulla. A total of 34 clergymen have served the parish. The present priest in charge is Rev. Sagara Perera. The parish now extends from Keselwatte in the North, to Wadduwa in the South, and from the Sea Coast in the West to Bandaragama and Horana in the East. This is an area of about 15 square miles.
Several improvements and additions to the Church and Church buildings have been carried out since the Church was originally built. A new vestry was constructed in 1921. In 1931 a parsonage was built on a block of land along Galle Road, gifted by Mr. and Mrs. Lambert M.M. Dias. Parishioners including the donors of the land contributed towards this construction. Mrs. Dias gifted another strip of land later on to extend these premises.
An extension to the nave of the church a long felt need and a porch were gifted in 1941 by Mrs. Beatrice Dias, in memory of her husband Charles Edward Arnold Dias. In 1948 a small altar for children was built. A part of the funds was provided by Mrs. Mabel Tirimanne in memory of her husband F.A.C. Tirimanne. This altar was later converted to the present Lady Chapel. To coincide with the centenary of the Church in 1976, a house for the sexton, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Marlyn Dias and the belfry a gift from Mrs. Ruby Peiris and her children in memory of her husband Senator J.W. Peiris was received, in addition to several other donations.
In 1984 under the personal supervision of Dr. Earl Salgado, the Church roof was completely brought down and renovated using new timber. The parishioners contributed and raised over 4 lakhs of rupees for this work. In 1997, a Church Hall was constructed using part of the money received from the sale of a block of land gifted to the Church, in the last will of Mrs. Joslyn Violet Dias, in her memory.
To mark the 125 anniversary of the consecration of the Church, in 2001, the nave of the Church was extended a second time with a balcony, to accommodate the fast growing congregation. This was funded by donations received from present and past parishioners and numerous well wishers. A new vicarage was built in the Church premises in 2009, once again with donations received from present and past parishioners and several fund raising projects.
In addition, to these extensions and structures numerous gifts received from time to time special mention must be made of the Brass Cross for the altar a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Cyril A Jansz(Snr) received in 1912, and the Brass Eagle Lectern received in 1926, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Dias by his children. The benediction of the present pulpit which took place on 11.9.1926 was a gift from Mudliyar and Mrs. P.S. Rodrigo. The first trust fund for the parish, namely “the clergy Endowment Fund” had been created by Mr. Arnold Dias and other relations before 1892. This may have been one of the first Trust Funds created with the Incorporated Trustees. The “Building Endowment Fund” had been created by the parishioners contributing to commemorate the 75 anniversary of the Church in 1951. Thereafter, several Trust Funds have been created by parishioners in their names and in memory of their loved ones. These funds have helped the parish to carry out its activities.
Mr. Cyril A. Jansz(Snr) had been nominated the 1 Incumbent Warden in 1883, followed by Mr. F.A.C. Tirimanne in 1923. Mr. Arnold Dias had been elected the 1 people’s warden by the congregation in 1883.
St. John’s Church Sunday School was started in 1887 under the leadership of Mr. Cyril Jansz(Snr). He was succeeded as superintendent by Miss E. Lyford( a missionary lady) and Mrs. Caroline Dias(later Rodrigo)
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St.John’s Church 86, Arthur V. Dias Mw Panadura., Sri Lanka.
“After the death of Rev. Francis De Mel, which took place on 29 September, 1883, his district was divided. Rev. H. Wickremanayake was put in charge of Horetuduwa and Sarikkamulla, and Panadura was attached to the district of Kalutara. Latterly Sarikkamula was annexed to Moratuwa and left in charge of Mr. Copleston; Lewis Fernando who was appointed Catechist on 10 August 1886, supervised the work there. The small chapel at Sarikkamulla(opened by Bishop Claughton in 1870), had for a considerable time been deserted and had fallen into disrepair. Mr. Copleston set at once to rebuild it and A.W. De Mel was most helpful in collecting subscriptions towards the restoration and in the still less pleasant task of superintending the work, so far as he had leisure from his duties at St. Thomas’ College. Services were held instead at the residence of Mututantrige Jospeh Fernando by Lewis Fernando(who was assisted by A.W. De Mel Catechist, Panadura). Just as the last tiles were put to the new roof, a serious catastrophe took place. One or two pillars gave way and the whole roof came down. A new building was soon erected and on 5 March 1887, the Chapel was opened for divine service by the Bishop.”
“In Rev. Johannes De Silva’s time, Horetuduwa was attached to Moratuwa and the branch parish of Horetuduwa and Sarikkamulla was formed. The Rev. A.W. De Mel who was left in charge of this branch, conducted the service in the Church at Horetuduwa. Mr. De Silva went there once a month to celebrate etc.’ and the service in the Chapel at Sarikkamulla was conducted by Lewis Fernando, the Catechist with Mr. De Silva’s occasional visits to preach and administer the sacraments.
St. Luke’s Sarikkamulla was the gift of Manuel De Mel of “Melrose.”The foundation stone was laid on 14 November, 1903 and the erection of the Church was begun under the supervision of J. Matthias De Mel. The ceremony of consecration came off on 10 September, 1904. Besides the Bishop , the following took part: Revs. J. De Silva, Jacob Mendis, C. De Mel and A.W. De Mel.”
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St. Luke's Church, Rathu Palliya Road, Old Galle Road, Sarikkalimulla, Sri Lanka
Christ Church, Horetuduwa was built by Fransico De Mel at his expense on land owned by him. The church was dedicated on 11 August 1863 by the Bishop of Colombo, the Rt. Rev. Piers Claughton. Subsequently the church with the property was bequeathed to the Bishop of Colombo.
The Rev. A.W. De Met exercised a fruitful ministry at Horetuduwa for about a period of about 40 years till his death in 1935. Besides the evangelistic work in which he was engaged in, he ran a school for adult education.
The Rev. A.W. De Mel served the parish in an honorary capacity while residing in his ancestral home at Horetuduwa.
At different times the affairs of this parish has come under the purview of the vicars of Koralawella, Moratuwa, Panadura and Egoda Uyana.
Rising majestically over a cluster of houses, overlooking the coconut palms, and wedged between the road and the river in the southernmost hamlet of Moratuwa is the plain but attractive looking Church dedicated to St. James, consecrated to the Glory of God at the beginning of the present century, on the 22 October, 1903, by the Rt. Rev. E.A. Copleston, the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese, St. James Church is a fitting monument to the religious zeal and bounty of its founder, the late Mr. V. Johanes De Mel of “Melville”, Moratuwa.
Although there is evidence of Christian worship in Egoda Uyana dating back to the early 19 century, it was only in 1856that a Chapel as part of a school hall was built in this locality, and services were held there regularly though the congregation was small.
When numbers increased a Church was built in 1874 and dedicated probably on St. James Day that year. It became the center of worship for over a quarter of a century. This old Church-a very small building-put up in the time of the late Rev. Abraham Mendis, who may justly be called the father of the Church of England in Moratuwa, was now found inadequate to accommodate the growing Anglican population.
It was at this time that the late Mr. V. Johannes De Mel, when on a visit to Egoda Uyana, deplored the condition of the Church and undertook the erection of a suitable edifice at his own expense. To this extent he purchased a plot of land about a quarter of a mile distant from the old Church, and the foundation stone of the present Church was laid on 11 February, 1902, by the Ven. F.H. De Winton Archdeacon of the Diocese, who was especially deputed for this purpose by the then Bishop of Colombo, the Rt. Rev. R.S Copleston
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St. James Church, Egoda Uyana Sobadaham Pedesa Rd Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
St. Peter’s Chuch, Koralawella was consecrated and dedicated on 1 November 1883 by Rt. Rev. Reginald Stephen Copleston, 4 Bishop of Colombo.
The first incumbent of our church was Rev. Ernest Arthur Copleston and the curate was the Rev. Cornelius De Mel. The Archdeacon Rev. Matthew De Winton, Rev. Cornelius Senanayake, F.D. Edirisinghe, M. Wickremanayake and many others were present on this grand occasion. This was the 9 christian church and the 4 Anglican Church in Korawella.
In 1883 the Board of Wardens consisted of Mr. V. Francisco De Mel (deed warden) Mr. Andris Fernando(Bishops warden), Mr. V. Abraham De Mel and Mr. Daniel Peiris(People’s wardens).
In 1920 St. Peters Church became the mother church of the newly instituted southern Moratuwa church administration of Egoda Uyana, St. James Church under St. Peter’s Koralawella.