Phone +94 33 2 222186 | ||
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Address Marybiso Rd, Gampaha, Sri Lanka Similar Henarathgoda Botanical Garden, Horagolla National Park, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Ridiyagama Safari Park, National Zoological Gardens | ||
Holy Cross Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Gampaha, Sri Lanka. It is part of the Archdiocese of Colombo. The church is nicknamed the "Rock Church" because the outside of the church is faced with gneiss. The Holy Cross Church is known as Gal Palliya (Rock Church) in Sinhala language ().
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History
There was a church named "Holy Cross" near the heart of Gampaha during the Portuguese ruling period in Sri Lanka (1505–1658). This was during the reign of King Rajasingha II (1629–1687), the third king of the Kingdom of Kandy in Sri Lanka.
After the Portuguese era, the Dutch had control over parts of Sri Lanka. The Dutch were opposed to the Catholic and the traditional religions. The original church was ruined.
The present church was built later in a different part of the town.
Apostolic blessing
An Apostolic Blessing certificate was received from Pope John Paul II for the 75th anniversary of Holy Cross Church in 1991.
Namesakes
There are other Holy Cross Churches in the Archdiocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka: