Christ Church Warleigh is an Anglican church in Sri Lanka built during the 19th century by the British. It is administered by the Church of Ceylon.[1] The church is regarded as one of the most prominent and oldest Anglican churches in Sri Lanka and is a tourist destination.[2] It is in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, in Dickoya, near the Nuwara Eliya District along the Hatton-Norwood road through the Warleigh Division. The church borders tea estates and the Castlereagh Reservoir.[2][3]
| Christ Church Warleigh | |
|---|---|
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 | |
| Location | Dickoya |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Denomination | Anglican church (Church of Ceylon) |
| History | |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Founder(s) | William Scott |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
History edit
Christ Church was built by the William Scott, the manager of the Governor's Mansion, in 1878, when the country was a British colony.[4][3] A bible printed in 1860s was presented to the church in July 1879 by Rev. Charles Hill, the rector of Warboys Parish, and is still preserved in the church.[3][5] The first British colonial Inspector General of the Ceylon Police, Sir George William Robert Campbell who came to Ceylon in 1866 is believed to be buried in the churchyard.[6]
Architecture edit
The church was built in typical old British church architecture.[3][7] The walls of the church include granite stones. The church interior has wooden furniture seats, an ancient pipe organ (piano), an armchair, and wooden pulpit along with a 140 year old Bible.[8]
19th century stained glass windows, which depict paintings of Jesus Christ, were originally brought from England.[7] A baptismal font made of porcelain is adorned with floral designs. The church floor is laid out with imported floral tiles from England.[7]
A cemetery with tombstones of English colonial tea planters is next to the church.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Christ Church, Warleigh". Diocese of Colombo. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Christ Church Warleigh, Central, Sri Lanka — by Jodie Gallagher". Trover. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Historic churches with their unique possessions". The Island. 1 June 2013.
- ^ "Christ Church Warleigh | Nuwara Eliya | Sri Lanka | AFAR". www.afar.com. 6 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- ^ "The remarkable history of the Christ Church Warleigh and its long preserved Bible". island.lk. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- ^ "The architectural monument Christ Church Warleigh and the history". Sunday Times. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Traces of history in Ceylon Tea bushes". Sunday Observer. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- ^ Ago, Anverin Warleigh • 2 Years (13 March 2018). "Historical Warleigh Christ Church Sri Lanka". Steemit. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
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