Holy Emmanuel Anglican Church, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
The history of the Anglican Church in Moratuwa dates from 1799. On the site of the present general cemetery behind Holy Emmanuel Church stood an old Dutch building, since 1675. In addition to being used as a school, divine services were held in this building from 1799 until it was pulled down in 18I5 to be replaced by the first Anglican Church built in Moratuwa at the expense of the Government and the congregation.
This Church was built under the patronage of Governor Sir Robert Brownrigg. who contributed his share towards the erection of the Church. This Church was popularly known as the "Brownrigg Palliya" and was large enough to hold 800 to 1000 people. A significant feature of the Anglican Church in Moratuwa was that from the very inception Divine Services and all other Church activities were conducted in Sinhala.
In 1857, permission was sought for construction of a new Church. Gate Mudaliyar Jeronis de Soysa appealed to the Bishop of Colombo, James Chapman, to seek the Governor's sanction for demolishing the old dilapidated Church known as " Brownrigg Palliya ", and for construction of a new edifice on an allotment of land one and a half acres in extent adjoining the then cemetery.
On 27th December. 1857, Bishop James Chapman laid the cornerstone of Holy Emmanuel Church. The funds for this edifice were contributed mainly by Jeronis de Soysa and his brother Susew de Soysa. In December, 1860, Gate Mudaiiyar Jeronis de Soysa gave over to Dr. James Chapman, the first Bishop of Colombo, the land and the Church built thereon.
On 27th December, 1860, Holy Emmanuel Church was consecrated by Bishop Chapman, in the presence of the Governor and Lady McCarthy. The Church was the most distinguished congregation in the immediate vicinity. The service was conducted both in English and Sinhala and the sermon was delivered by the Revd. S. W. Dias in Sinhala.
On the conclusion of the service, His Excellency and Lady McCarthy along with the other dignitaries present on the occasion were received by Mr. and Mrs Jeronis de Soysa at their residence.
Holy Emmanuel Anglican Church, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
The history of the Anglican Church in Moratuwa dates from 1799. On the site of the present general cemetery behind Holy Emmanuel Church stood an old Dutch building, since 1675. In addition to being used as a school, divine services were held in this building from 1799 until it was pulled down in 18I5 to be replaced by the first Anglican Church built in Moratuwa at the expense of the Government and the congregation.
This Church was built under the patronage of Governor Sir Robert Brownrigg. who contributed his share towards the erection of the Church. This Church was popularly known as the "Brownrigg Palliya" and was large enough to hold 800 to 1000 people. A significant feature of the Anglican Church in Moratuwa was that from the very inception Divine Services and all other Church activities were conducted in Sinhala.
In 1857, permission was sought for construction of a new Church. Gate Mudaliyar Jeronis de Soysa appealed to the Bishop of Colombo, James Chapman, to seek the Governor's sanction for demolishing the old dilapidated Church known as " Brownrigg Palliya ", and for construction of a new edifice on an allotment of land one and a half acres in extent adjoining the then cemetery.
On 27th December. 1857, Bishop James Chapman laid the cornerstone of Holy Emmanuel Church. The funds for this edifice were contributed mainly by Jeronis de Soysa and his brother Susew de Soysa. In December, 1860, Gate Mudaiiyar Jeronis de Soysa gave over to Dr. James Chapman, the first Bishop of Colombo, the land and the Church built thereon.
On 27th December, 1860, Holy Emmanuel Church was consecrated by Bishop Chapman, in the presence of the Governor and Lady McCarthy. The Church was the most distinguished congregation in the immediate vicinity. The service was conducted both in English and Sinhala and the sermon was delivered by the Revd. S. W. Dias in Sinhala.
On the conclusion of the service, His Excellency and Lady McCarthy along with the other dignitaries present on the occasion were received by Mr. and Mrs Jeronis de Soysa at their residence.