Holy Cross Church, Gampaha
Holy Cross Church, Gampaha Sinhala: සිරි කුරුස දේවස්ථානය, ගම්පහ is a Roman Catholic church located in Gampaha, Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1916 as a parish church of the Archdiocese of Colombo.[1] The church is nicknamed "Gal Palliya/ගල් පල්ලිය" meaning "Rock Church" since the church facade is encrusted with gneiss stone.
| Holy Cross Church, Gampaha | |
|---|---|
Sinhala: සිරි කුරුස දේවස්ථානය, ගම්පහ | |
 Front facade | |
  Holy Cross Church, Gampaha Location in Sri Lanka | |
| 7.0943°N 79.9956°E | |
| Location | Marybiso Road, Gampaha |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Language(s) |
|
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 7 May 1916 |
| Founder(s) | (Rev. Fr.) Gregorius Silva |
| Dedication | The Holy Cross |
| Relics held | Wood fragments from the very own Holy Cross which Jesus died |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Completed | 14 September 1918 |
| Administration | |
| District | Gampaha District |
| Province | Western Province |
| Archdiocese | Archdiocese of Colombo |
| Diocese | Colombo |
| Deanery | Weliweriya |
| Parish | Welieriya parish |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Malcolm Ranjith |
| Auxiliary Bishop(s) |
|
| Priest in charge | (Rev.Fr.) Hemantha Perera |
History
A Holy Cross Church was known to be located near the heart of Gampaha during the Portuguese ruling period in Sri Lanka(1505–1658).[2] This was during the reign of King Rajasingha II (1629–1687), the third king of the Kingdom of Kandy in Sri Lanka.
In 1658 the Dutch expelled Portuguese and took control over some parts of Sri Lanka. The Dutch era was known to be a disastrous time for Sri Lankan Catholics since they were opposed to the Roman Catholicism and other traditional religions.[3] The original church was abandoned and was completely ruined.
On 7 May 1916, the groundbreaking was done for a new church building under the guidance of Rev.Fr. Gregorius Silva, the Head of Weliweriya deanery. The church was completed and opened to the public in 1918.
Apostolic blessing
An Apostolic Blessing certificate was received from Pope John Paul II for the 75th anniversary of Holy Cross Church in 1991.
Relics held
Tiny wood fragment from the very own cross which Jesus died is kept away from elements inside a solar monstrance inspired reliquary.
Parish priests and assistant priests
| Priest | Time period |
|---|---|
| Rev.Fr. Gregory Silva | 1910 - 1922 |
| Rev.Fr. P J Dominic O.M.I. | 1922 - 1934 |
| Rev.Fr. Alexis Seru O.M.I. | 1930 - 1931 |
| Rev.Fr. J M Kerbul O.M.I. | 1932 Feb - Sep |
| Rev.Fr. J Santiago | 1932 - 1933 |
| Rev.Fr. D B Jacqualine | 1933 - 1934 |
| Rev.Fr. Joseph Aloxias O.M.I. | 1934 - 1935 |
| Rev.Fr. A Godwin Fernando | 1935 - 1937 |
| Rev.Fr. Peter Fernando | 1937 Sep - Dec |
| Rev.Fr. A Marges O.M.I. | 1938 - 1940 |
| Rev.Fr. F Desigo O.M.I. | 1938 - 1940 |
| Rev.Fr. L M V Thomas O.M.I. | 1941 - 1943 |
| Rev.Fr. Elias Weerakkody O.M.I. | 1943 - 1947 |
| Rev.Fr. Julius Wijesuriya O.M.I. | 1947 - 1949 |
| Rev.Fr. Philip C Dissanayaka O.M.I. | 1949 - 1955 |
| Rev.Fr. J L Mique O.M.I. | 1955 - 1961 |
| Rev.Fr. Kingsley Perera | 1961 - 1965 |
| Rev.Fr. Emil Perera O.M.I. | 1965 - 1966 |
| Rev.Fr. Reginold De Silva O.M.I. | 1966 - 1967 |
| Rev.Fr. J Edwin Fernando | 1967 - 1971 |
| Rev.Fr. Stanely Wedasinghe | 1971 - 1971 July |
| Rev.Fr. Don Tuder Paulinus O.M.I. | 1971 - 1975 |
| Rev.Fr. Petrik M Fernando | 1975 - 1976 |
| Rev.Fr. Don Tuder Paulinus O.M.I. | 1976 - 1979 |
| Rev.Fr. D A Dasanayaka O.M.I. | 1979 - 1980 |
| Rev.Fr. Lewge Hettiarachchi O.M.I. | 1980 - 1987 |
| Rev.Fr. Arnest Premasiri O.M.I. | 1987 Mar - Sep |
| Rev.Fr. Sarath Silva O.M.I. | 1987 Sep - 1988 Aug |
| Rev.Fr. P Satanis Lourse O.M.I. | 1988 - 1993 |
| Rev.Fr. Siril Perera O.M.I. | 1993 - 1995 |
| Rev.Fr. Bernard Nevil | 1995 - 2001 |
| Rev.Fr. Edmund Thilakaratne | 2001 Jan - 2002 Oct |
| Rev.Fr. Canitius Moraes | 2002 - 2007 |
| Rev.Fr. Kingsley Iwan Appuhami | 2008 - 2013 May |
| Rev.Fr. Hemantha Perera | 2013–present |
Assistant priests
| Name | Time period |
|---|---|
| Rev.Fr. Edward Pieris | 1932 - 1933 |
| Rev.Fr. D Senanayake | 1935 Jan - Aug |
| Rev.Fr. L Didelo O.M.I. | 1940 - 1942 |
| Rev.Fr. O J Perera O.M.I. | 1942 |
| Rev.Fr. V Koopel O.M.I. | 1949 Jan - Aug |
| Rev.Fr. Reginold De Silva O.M.I. | 1940 - 1951 |
| Rev.Fr. M Emmanuel O.M.I. | 1951 - 1953 |
| Rev.Fr. Philip De Silva O.M.I. | 1953 - 1955 |
| Rev.Fr. Leon Babapulile O.M.I. | 1990 - 1991 |
Namesakes
Other Holy Cross Churches in the Archdiocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka;
- Holy Cross Church, Pulasthigama, Anuradhapura
- Holy Cross Church, Kalutara
- Holy Cross Church, Mahahunupitiya, Negombo
- Holy Cross Church, Mirigama
- Holy Cross Church, Tarala, Pugoda
References
- Parishes and Churches of the Archdiocese of Colombo.
- Rev. Fr. Fernao De Queyroz(1617-1688). The Temporal and Spiritual Conquest of Ceylon
- "Dutchs' Antipathy towards Catholics in Sri Lanka".
- "Parish priests of Holy Cross Church, Gampaha".
- "Assistant priests of Holy Cross Church, Gampaha".
- 75th Holy Cross Church Anniversary Souvenir - 1991 September
- The Archdiocese of Colombo
- Christian Aggression
- Religion and Nationalism in Nineteenth Century Sri Lanka - Christian Missionaries and Their Critics (A Review Article by K M de Silva)