St. Andrew's Church, Haputale

St. Andrew's Church (Sinhala: ශාන්ත අන්දෘ දේවස්ථානය, හපුතලේ) is an Anglican church in Haputale, Badulla District, Sri Lanka. This small Neo-gothic church is located on the A16 road (Beragala - Hali Ela road).

St. Andrew's Church, Haputale
St. Andrews Church, Haputale
Map
LocationChurch Road, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
DenominationAnglican (Church of Ceylon)
WebsiteSt. Andrew's Church, Haputale
History
Consecrated19 September 1869; 154 years ago (1869-09-19)
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeChurch
StyleNeo-gothic
Groundbreaking1869
Completed1869
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Colombo
ArchdeaconryNuwara Eliya Archdeaconry

It is one of the oldest buildings in Haputale and one of the oldest European buildings in the district.[1] The foundation stone was laid on 7 April 1869 by Lieutenant General Hodgson and it was consecrated for worship on 19 September 1869.[2][3] It was built by James Andrews, who worked at Sherwood Estate, and Richard Wylie, from Pita Ratmale Estate.[4] The first services were conducted by Rev. Joseph Barnett, co-pastor of Middlington.

The church's interior is small but well furnished. The pews and kneelers are upholstered with red velvet and leather and the ends of the pews are decorated with intricate woodcarvings.[4] The altar is surrounded by stained glass windows imported from Scotland that depict the significant events in the life of Jesus.[5] It has a marble baptismal font, imported from England, located at the entrance of the church.[4]

Reverend Walter Stanley Senior's ashes are interred in the church's graveyard.[1][6]

The church was declared a protected archaeological site in November 2002.[3][7]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Briggs, Philip (2018). Sri Lanka. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 15. ISBN 9781784770570.
  2. ^ "St. Andrew's Church, Haputale". Church of Ceylon, Diocese of Colombo. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  3. ^ a b "St. Andrew's Church, Haputale". LankaPradeepa. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Haputale". Classic Sri Lanka. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  5. ^ "Hidden in the Hills". TimeOut. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  6. ^ "Arrogance and Reconciliation never go together". The Island. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Gazette". The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. 1264. 22 November 2002.

6°46′9.93″N 80°57′39.38″E / 6.7694250°N 80.9609389°E / 6.7694250; 80.9609389