Location Negombo, Sri Lanka Rite Latin Rite Architectural style Neoclassical architecture Groundbreaking 1874 | Affiliation Roman Catholic Status Active Architectural type Church | |
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Address Pitipana, Negombo, Sri Lanka Similar Angurukaramulla Temple, St Sebastian’s Church, Negombo Lagoon, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Ridiyagama Safari Park | ||
St mary schurch negombo 2009
The St. Mary’s Church, Negombo is landmark edifice, a Roman Catholic church in the heart of the Negombo town. Its exterior surface is painted in pink colour. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Sri Lanka.
Contents
Location
St. Mary's Church is located in the Grand Street in the heart of Negombo town. It is in the Gampaha District, a second town under the Colombo Metropolitan Regional Structural plan of the Urban Development Authority (UDA). It is 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from the Katunayake Airport, and is connected by the Colombo - Chilaw - Puttlam road.
History
Negombo has been influenced greatly by the Christian faith from the time it was occupied by the Portuguese. It is often called "Little Rome" in view of the large number of churches in the town.
Construction of the church was started in 1874 and completed, after a long gap, in 1922. The art and architecture of this church and a few similar other churches in Sri Lanka demonstrate the cultural amalgamation of the European practice with Sri Lankan art and architecture during the early years of the 20th century.
Features
The church was built in neoclassicism style with columns and plain walls. Its ceilings are painted with alabaster images of many saints. The walls at the upper level are fixed with sculptures of religious saints. The unique paintings on the life of Christ on the ceiling were done by the N.S. Godamanne, a local Buddhist painter. The beauty of the paintings on the nave is described as "thunderous". A testator paid the cost of one of the altars, which was imported from Europe.