Dutch Reformed Church, Wolvendaal Street

The Portuguese church on this site was converted into a Dutch church in 1749. It took eight years for the Dutch to complete the church. The church was consecrated by the Rev. Mattias Wirmelskircher on 6 March 1757.

The roof of the nave bore a metal cover that was used as a guide to ships coming into the Colombo harbour. However, it had been damaged by lightning and replaced with wood and brick in 1783. The cross vault roof is made of bricks. It is said that African slave labour was used for the construction of this church.

The church has distinct Calvinistic features -impressive, stately and with hardly any ornamentation. Certain sections of the exterior wall are nearly two meters thick. The double-arched windows reflect Portuguese influence and are of coloured stained glass. No altar is present. The choir stall, transept, organ loft, an elaborate pulpit, a baptistery and a lectern are some of the special features of the church. Tombstones inside the church bear carved family crests.

Location: The church is located on Vivekananda Hil off K. B. Christie Perera Mawatha on St. Anthonys Mawatha. Colombo 13.

Heritage Buildings of Sri Lanka by Nimal de Silva and D. P. Chandrasekara 2009 P116)

Unique Sri Lanka

Dutch Reformed Church Wolvendaal Street

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