Calvary Group

In 1935, there was a division of opinion among the parishioners regarding the placing of the Calvary Group which was a gift to the parish from Dr. Lionel Peiris. This Group was installed in the Church without any reference to the parishioners. Some parishioners made representations to Bishop Mark Carpenter Gamier. The Bishop ruled as follows:—

1. That the figures be veiled with curtains for one week in the month.
2. This week be from the third Saturday to the fourth.
3. The only exceptions to this rule are Good Friday (should it fall within the week specified) and Christmas Day.

The 75th Anniversary of the Church

The 75th anniversary of the consecration of the Church was celebrated from 26th December 1935 to 1st January 1936. Elaborate arrangements were made and a Jubilee Commemoration Committee of 300 members of the Parish and 8 Sub-Committees were appointed. At the request of the Executive Committee, P. M. A. Mendis and W. R. 0. Fernando, Hony. Joint Secretaries, addressed an appeal to all parishioners to help collect for the Jubilee Fund a sum of Rs 10.000/- by remitting their subscriptions to the Hony Treasurer, H. P, Dickman de Mel. A sum of Rs 7494.60 was collected.

On the eve of the Jubilee/ the stately tower and the sides of the church were overlaid with a network of electric jets and at the top of the tower was a cross of lights with the figure 75 being prominently displayed.

The celebrations commenced on 26th December with Evensong at 6.30 p.m. On 27th December, there was a celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 7.30 a.m. by the Bishop of Colombo, the Rt Rev. Mark Carpenter Gamier followed by a special Thanksgiving Service at which the Bishop preached. The Thank offering, which had been collected during the year, was brought by the 2 General Secretaries and the Hony. Treasurer in white silk bags and handed over to A. J. R. de Soysa. L. W. A. de Soysa, R. A. Fernando and A. F. S Fernando. Wardens, who in turn offered it to the Bishop.

At the close of the Service, G. O. C. Cooray, Secretary of the Jubilee Memorials Committee and Compiler of the Memorials presented to the Bishop an artistica1!y bound copy of the Jubilee Memorials, while the incumbent, the Wardens and the other ex-officio members of the Jubilee Committee were also presented with similar copies.

A special feature of the celebrations was the candle-light street procession held on 2 days during the octave.

During the Jubilee Octave, there were services in the mornings and in the evenings. On, several days the evening services were concluded with a display of fireworks while the illuminations were continued throughout the celebrations.

One of the events of the week was a dinner held at the School Hall when covers were laid for about 150. The Revd. Jacob Mendis presided. The celebrations ended with a Sports Meet held on the lawn near the Sunday School hall. The prizes were distributed by the Revd. Jacob Mendis. Thereafter W. R. 0. Fernando, General Secretary and Gladwin S^A. Fernando, Joint Secretary of the Social Committee, thanked all those who helped to make the meeting a success.

Triple Event in the Life of the Incumbent

On 29th August 1937, Canon Mendis celebrated 3 important events in his life, namely the attainment of his 45th anniversary in Holy Orders, the 45th anniversary of his marriage and his 75th birthday.

Installation as Canon

In 1939, Revd. Mendis was installed as an Honorary Canon in the Cathedral by Bishop Horsley in 1940. he was appointed Rural Dean of Moratuwa. On 16th December. 1940 he was accorded a farewell by the people of Moratuwa on his retirement. His Incumbency of 33 years is the longest on record. He continued to function as Rural Dean until his retirement from active service in 1944. Canon Mendis was called to his well-earned rest at the ripe old age Of 85, on 18th March 1948. The older generation still carries nostalgic memories of this strict disciplinarian for his long service and for the wonderful vigour he displayed in the service of God’s sacred Ministry.

The Revd. Harold De Soysa 1941 – 1948

For filling the vacant Incumbency at Holy Emmanuel Church several names were submitted, but ultimately only the Revd. H. E. C. Mendis M. A. (Cantab) and the Revd. 1 Harold de Soysa M. A. (Oxon) were considered. Bishop Cecil Horsloy selected the Ruvd. Harold de Soysa, Assistant Curate, Christ Church, Baddegama as the new Vicar.

The Institution and Induction of the new Incumbent took place on 2nd February. 1941 J by Bishop Horsley.

The Revd. Harold de Soysa. eldest son of Sir Wilfred and Lady de Soysa. was a great-grandson of the founder Jeronis de Soysa. He had his education at Royal College and later graduated from Oriel College, Oxford, obtaining Second Class Honours in Theology. He had his training for the Priesthood at Cuddesdon College and was ordained Priest in 1934 at St. Paul’s Cathedral. He was only 30 years old when he was appointed Incumbent. Although he was young in years he took up his new assignment with a keen sense of dedication and sincerity. He was full of energy, zeal and vitality and embarked on an ambitious programme for the upliftment of the parish. One of the first things he did was to institute the daily celebration of Holy Communion at 7.00 a.m. It was during his Incumbency that the Mothers’ Union, the Youth Fellowship and the Guild of Servers were formed. He was in close touch with the parishioners and evinced a keen interest in the parish organisations to which he infused new life. The Assistant Curates at that time were Revds. J. E. Mendis. L. C. Fernando and J. P. de Silva.

On the retirement of the Rev. Harold de Soysa. due to ill health, the Metropolitan’s Commissary, Yen. F. L. Beven appointed the Revd. Neville W. Fernando to look after the affairs of our Parish until a permanent appointment was made by the new Bishop.

The Rt. Revd. A. R. Graham Campbell, Bishop of Colombo

On 3rd July. 1943, The Revd. A.R. Graham Campbell.Dean of King’s College. Cambridge was appointed the 8th Bishop of Colombo. The consecration of the Bishop-Designate took place on 29th September 1948, in York Minster. He arrived on the Island on 22nd December and lost no time in paying his first pastoral visit to this Church on 27th December.

One of the first functions devolving on the new Bishop, soon after his appointment, was to select a permanent Vicar to the Parish.

The Revd, B. M. Wikramanayake 1949 – 1956

The Revd. B. M. Wikramanayake, Vicar of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin. Veyan-goda. was appointed as Incumbent with effect from 1st May 1949 and his Institution and Induction took place on 4th June 1949. One of the burning desires of Revd. Bertram Wikramanayake was to build a Church at Kadalana. This was a long-felt need and the new Vicar took over the blueprints prepared by the Revd. Harold de Soysa collected a sum of Rs. 60.000/- from friends and well-wishers and the foundation stone for the erection of a church edifice was laid on 1st November 1950. The Church was completed and thereafter consecrated by the Bishop on 1st November 1955, The Church of the Healing Christ at Kadalana stands as a monument to an Incumbent bubbling with energy and dynamism, both within and outside the Church. In the administration of the parish, he evinced a firmness, which was characteristic of him.

The New Diocese of Kurunegala

The inauguration of the Diocese of Kurunegala was a historic and momentous event in the annals of the Church of Ceylon. The General Council of the Province gave its permission for the creation of the Diocese of Kurunegala in January 1950. His Grace the Rt. Revd. G. C. Hubback, the Metropolitan appointed the Rt. Revd. Lakdasa de Mel to be the first Bishop of Kurunegala with effect from 2nd February 1950.

Inauguration of the Y.W.C.A. and Y.M.C A. Moratuwa

Events of significance that occurred in 1949 and 1950 were the inauguration of the Y.W.C.A and Y.M.C. A. Moratuwa respectively at meetings held in our Sunday School Hall. In the absence of a permanent home. the new Associations were allowed permission to hold meetings in the Parish Hall until the Y.M.C.A. secured their Headquarters 3 years later, and the Y.W.C.A. 31 years later.

The First United Christian Service

The first United Christian Service at Moratuwa was held in the Prince of Wales College Hall on 29th November 1953.’ It was attended by about 5000 of the respective Non – Roman Catholic members of the Churches in the town and a large number of the general public.

The Canakeratne Award

After the election of Church Wardens for the year 1955, a dispute arose between the Elected Church Wardens on the one hand and the Nominated Wardens and the Incumbent on the other hand, regarding monies received on account of the various funds of the parish and their proper custody and disbursement. It was agreed between the 2 parties that the dispute should be referred to A. R. H. Canakeratne. Q. C. for arbitration.

On 18th February 1965, the parties agreed in the presence of the Arbitrator that the decision of the Arbitrator should be final and that steps should be taken to make the decision of the Arbitrator effectual and binding on the parties and their successors in office.

After inquiry. A. R. H. Canakeratne.Q. C. made his Award on 23rd March. 1956.

Subsequently, there was another difference of opinion between the 2 parties referred to above in respect of various other funds. This matter was also referred to Q. C. Canakeratne and after discussing the points at issue, an agreement was arrived at between the Counsel appearing on behalf of the parties.

The 2 Awards made by A. R. H. Canakeratne regarding the above appear as an Appendix to this Souvenir.

The Institution of Archdeacon Harold de Soysa

The Revd. Harold do Soysa was instituted as the Archdeacon of Colombo on 21st September 1955. The elevation of one of our former Incumbents to this ecclesiastical office was a matter of exultation.

The General Council of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon 17 Bishops attended the sessions held in Ceylon in January I956. On this occasion parishioners from all parts of the Island congregated in very large numbers at the Galle Face Green and participated in a rally, later, on 20th January, nine Bishops visited our Church.

The Death of the Revd. Bertram Wikramanayake

The Revd. B. M. Wikramanayake was called to his eternal rest on 22nd September, I956 and the large gathering that assembled at his funeral service at this Church and later at the burial service at All Saints’Church, Galle. bore ample testimony and tribute to his memory and work The Church of the Healing Christ, the construction of which he undertook as a labour of love, stands as a monument to his missionary zeal.

The Revd. F- R. E. Mendis I957 – I958

The Revd. F. R. E. Mendis held the Incumbency of this Church only for a brief spell of one year from I957. The death of his only son under tragic circumstances and the problems peculiar to a large parish impaired his health and he was unfortunately obliged to retire before the lapse of one year.

Lambeth Conference in London

The 9th Lambeth Conference of Archbishops and Bishops of the Anglican Communion was held in London from 3rd July to 10th August. 1958 and this was attended by the Bishop of Kurunegala. At this Conference/ which was attended by 310 Bishops, the proposed Scheme of Church Union in Ceylon was discussed and Lambeth gave her blessing to the Scheme.

Preparations for the Centenary

On the resignation of The Revd. F. R. E. Mendis in November 1958, the Revd.S. H. Perera, Assistant Curate, was called upon to function as Priest-in-Charge. At a Special General Meeting of the congregation held under the chairmanship of the Revd. S. H. Perera. a General Committee of 200 parishioners was appointed to draw up a Constitution and report to the next General Meeting of the parish in December 1958 regarding the Centenary celebrations in 1960.

On the recommendation of the General Committee, 10 Sub-Committees were appointed and an Executive Committee consisting of 3 members from each Sub-Committeewas constituted to plan and execute all matters regarding the Centenary. The Centenary Committee proposed that a sum of Rs 1,000,000/- be collected for the furtherance of the, following objects:— Centenary Celebrations, perpetuating the memory of the Founder, Missionary enterprise, relief of distress among parishioners, helping ordination candidates, clergy pensions and clergy widows’pensions. The Incumbent was Chairman ex-officio of the Centenary Committee and P. M. A. Mendis, W. R. 0. Fernando and Danister E. Mendis were Joint General Secretaries. P. H. Wilson Peiris was Hony, Treasurer while S. E. Lloyd Salgado and S. J. S. Perera were Hony Assistant Treasurers.

The Revd. S. H. Perera

The Revd. S. H. Perera continued as Priest-in-Charge till the appointment of the new Incumbent in July, I959. A few months later he was transferred to St. Peter’s Church. Koralawella, as Priest-in-Charge. Revd. Perera was a talented musician and on several occasions, he filled the role of Organist. He executed his work with fortitude and distinction and the increase in attendance at church services speaks volumes for the able manner in which he performed his pastoral duties.

The Revd. J. P. de Silva

Teacher. Catechist, Deacon and Priest, he came to Holy Emmanuel Church in 1926 at the instance of Canon Jacob Mendis. J. P. de Silva was appointed a Catechist. In I929 he was made a Deacon and was appointed as Clerk in Holy Orders. In I948 he was ordained a Priest and was entrusted with many duties apart from assisting at Divine Services. He was a j very pious and devoted person and ministered to the sick by visiting them regularly. He was called to his eternal rest on 4th June, I959.

The Revd. E. G. Misso 1959-1960

The Revd. E. G. Misso was Instituted as Incumbent by the Bishop of Colombo on 26th July, I959. He was educated at S.Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia and St. Peter’s | College, Colombo. He was made Deacon in 1952 and came to this Parish. He was| ordained Priest in 1953 when he was functioning as an Assistant Priest in our Church.

One of the first tasks devolving on the new Incumbent was to proceed with the work started in regard to the Centenary celebrations. At that time the Incumbent had as his| assistants the Revd. Lakdasa Jayawardene and the Revd. Donald Kanagaratnam.

Dawn of the Centenary Year

The Centenary Year was ushered in with a Parish Tea organised by the Wardens and Parish organisations on 28th February 1960. The Bishop and Archdeacon and several hundreds of parishioners were present on this occasion. A fortnight later 2 separate group photographs of the adults and children of the parish were taken.

On 9th July, the foundation stone for the extension of the Vestry of the Church was laid by the Ven. Harold de Soysa, Archdeacon of Colombo and a great-grandson of the Founder. On this occasion, it was mentioned that Jeronis de Soysa built this Church at a cost of £ 8,000/-. which included contributions from others not because Jeronis de Soysa could not afford to bear the entire cost himself, but because it was his earnest desire to seek the cooperation of all. so that the Church could be truly Our church. It was with such altruistic motives that our worthy founder ventured to build a magnificent edifice for the glory of God.

On the same day additions to the Sunday School Hall were also commenced. Sir Wilfred and Lady de Soysa, who had kindly consented to construct the west wing at a cost of Rs. 15,000/-were present, when in the presence of those assembled Lady de Soysa laid the foundation stone.

This day was indeed a memorable day in the annals of our Church, for on this day a great-grandson of the founder of the Church laid the foundation stone for the extension to the Church building, while his mother, the daughter of the Founder of the Sunday School Hall, laid the foundation stone for the extension of the Sunday School Hall.

The Centenary Parochial Mission

This Mission was conducted by the Rt. Revd. Dr. Lakdasa de Mel, Bishop of Kurunegala, assisted b/ the Ravd. C. L. Wickramasinghe and the Revd. Andrew Kumarage. The Mission commenced on 23rd July and continued till 31st July 1960.

Jubilee Mela An important event organised by the Joint Fancy Fair and Social Committee was the Jubilee Mela held at Prince of Wales College on the 7th and 8th of October. The purpose of the Mela was to collect funds to implement the various development projects in hand and also to swell the Centenary Fund.

Centenary Celebrations

The highlight of the Centenary celebrations of the Church was the festival octave. which commanced on 26th December, I960. The first spectacle that caught the public eye was the grand pandal that spanned the entrance to the Holy Emmanuel Church Road brilliantly lit and with the figures 1860-100-1960 symbolising the Centenary. The approach road to the Church was profusely Jlluminatad and gaily decorated with multi­coloured flags and looked as if it was fitted with a canopy of lights. The Church Tower was flood-lit while the Church building was lighted with Jets. The Church and its environs presented a majestic and resplendent spectacle never witnessed before. The flag of St. George and the National flag were hoisted on top of the Church Tower, while figure 100 depicting the Centenary flashed intermittently.

At, 530 pm. Bishop Archibald, together with Revd. Misso, Incumbent and the Choir wended their way from the Sunday School Hall to the Vestry, where the photographs of the past Incumbents were unveiled by the Bishop. Thereafter the new Vestry was blessed, j Evensong commenced at 6.30 p.m. and the Bishop of Colombo delivered the sermon.

27th December was a red letter day for the Church of Holy Emmanuel as it was the day of the centennial anniversary of the Consecration. At the Holy Communion Service, which commenced at 7 a.m. the Bishop was present, while the celebrant was the Ven. Harold de Soysa, Archdeacon of Colombo and the preacher was the Incumbent. After the service. 3 wreaths were placed by the Bishop of Colombo, the Archdeacon of Colombo and Senator Lady Evelyn de Soysa on the grave of our founder, Jeronis de Soysa, on behalf of the Centenary Committee.

At 4.30 p.m. there was a Public Meeting followed by a Garden Party at which His Excellency Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, Governor-General was the Chief Guest. On arrival, His Excellency was received by the Bishop of Colombo and the Incumbent. The Bishop whilst welcoming all present, called upon the following to address the gathering:- Revd. Fred deSilva. Chairman of the Methodist Synod, Revd. W. G. Wickremasinghe. Vice • President of the Baptist Sangamaya, Revd. Fr. Lionel Abeywickrema of the Roman Catholic Church. Moratuwa, Major Colombage of the Salvation Army. Revd. Bryande Kretser of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Shelton C. Fernando, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. P. M. A. Mendis. Joint Secretary of the Centenary Committee presented to H. E. the Governor-General, the Bishop of Colombo and Sir Wilfred de Soysa copies of the Centenary Souvenir. W. R. 0. Pernando, Hony Joint Secretary proposed a Vote of Thanks, while Gladwyn S. A. Fernando Warden, seconded it. At the close of these proceedings, the Governor-General accompanied by Senator Sam P. C. Fernando, Minister of Justice and party repaired to the Church where Choral Evensong was held with the Archdeacon of Colombo as the preacher.

On 28th December, at 7.00 a.m. the Holy Communion Service was held in English. The Revd. T. A. M. Jayawardena was the celebrant while the preacher was the Revd. Matthew G. F. Peiris.

At 9.00 a.m. a Children’s Service was held at which the preacher was the Revd. Henry Fernando.

At 4.00 p.m. the 89th Annual Sunday School Festival and Prize-Giving was held. Sir Wilfred de Soysa was the Chief Guest, while Senator Lady Evelyn de Soysa distributed the prizes. The speakers were Mavis Bing and the Revd. Edison T. L. Mendis. The Vote of Thanks was proposed by J. N. Oleap Fernando and seconded by Rio Fernando.

 

Sir Oliver Goonethilike, Governor-General, who was Chief Guest at the Centenary Public Meeting and Garden Party on 27.12.1960 greets Mrs Leonara Mendis who was 4 years old when the church was consecrated in 1860. She was the oldest (104 years) living parishioner during the centenary.

Sir Oliver Goonethilike Governor-General, in the company of Bishop Archibald, Senator. Lady Evelyn de Soysa and Justice Minister Sam P.C. Fernando at the Centenary Garden Party held on 27.12.1960.

 

Thereafter, the photographs of Juan Fernando, Sir Wilfred and Lady de Soysa were unveiled by the Bishop and the newly-built west wing of the Sunday School Hall was blessed by the Bishop.

The Revd. T. C. J. Peiris. Rural Dean of Moratuwa and its environs preached at the Choral Evensong that followed.

29th December, which was designated “Pilgrims Day”, was ushered in by the Revd. Donald Kanagaratnam who was the celebrant at the Holy Communion Service at 7.00 a.m. This Parish hosted a large number of pilgrims, who converged on Moratuwa from parishes far and wide, to participate in our Centenary celebrations. Choral Matins were held in Sinhalese, Tamil and English at 9.30 a.m. It was a very impressive service at which the sermon was preached by the Revd. Patrick Abeywardene. The attendance at the service was a record one of 1847. At 3.30 p.m. on the same day, a Pageant depicting the history of the Moratuwa Parish from its very inception was staged at the Prince of Wales’ College grounds.

Thereafter at 5.30 p.m. Choral Evensong and a Procession followed. At this service, the sermon was preached by the Revd. Swithin W. Fernando. At 7.00 p.m. the day’s proceedings concluded with a grand display of fireworks and the church compound and its surroundings presented a multitude of heads. The fireworks were a generous gift from M. E. Shelton Perera.

At 7.00 a.m. on 30th December, there was a Holy Communion Service with the Revd. Noel H. M. de Mel as the celebrant and the Revd. L. C. Fernando as the preacher.

The Mothers’ Union and the Senior Guild gave a tea party to the members of the other organisations in the Parish.

On the same day at Evensong the Ven. James L. H. Amarasekera. Archdeacon of Kurunegala preached. At 9.00 p.m. there was a Parish Dinner at which nearly 500 participated. At the Dinner, Danister E. Mendls proposed the toast of the Vicar and the Revd. E. G. Misson replied. The Revd. Kenneth Fernando proposed the toast of the Parish Organisations, which was replied to by the representatives of the Organisations. D.V.E. Perera. AinsleyCooray, J. N. Oleap Fernando, Merril de Silva and Muriel de Mel. The toast of the Jubilee Committee was proposed by D. T. A. Fernando and seconded by E, W. V. Cooray. W. R. C. Fernando replied.

On 31st December at 7.00 a.m. the Revd. Douglas de Mel celebrated Holy Communion while the preacher was the Revd. Lakshman Peiris. In the afternoon there was a Youth Rally at Prince of Wales’ College grounds presided over by Asoka Peiris. The speakers at this meeting were the Revd. E. W. Mendis, Merril E. C. Fernando, and Tyrell Cooray. The vote of Thanks was proposed by Ainsley Cooray.

At Evensong the preacher was the Revd. Kenneth Fernando, while the Watch-Night Service, which commenced at 11.30 p.m. had the Revd. Donald J. Kanagaratnam as the preacher.

New Year’s Day, 1st January. 1961, was the Sunday in the octave of the Feast of the Consecration. Holy Communion Services were held at 6.00 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. The Incumbent was the celebrant while the Revd. L. M. L. Jayawardene was the preacher. There was another Holy Communion Service (English) at 9.30 a.m. and the preacher was the Revd. L. M. L. Jayawardena. Evensong was held at 6.00 p.m. and the Revd. S. M. J. Jebamony was the preacher at this service, which was held in English.

2nd January was the last day of the festival octave. A Holy Communion Service was held at 7.00 a.m. and the Revd. S. H. Perera was the celebrant and the Revd. Edison T. L. Mendis was the preacher. At this service, our Founder, benefactors and past worshippers were remembered. At 5.00 p.m. the same day, the inaugural meeting of the Moratuwa Evangelical Fellowship was held. This meeting was presided over by the Archdeacon of Colombo while the Revd. Donald J. Kanagaratnam moved the resolution for the formation of the Fellowship. At 6.00 p.m. Evensong was held with the Revd. H. E. C. Mendis as the preacher.

The processions which were to be held in connection with the Centenary celebrations did not take place as processions had been banned under the State of Emergency declared by the Government.

The Centenary Souvenir in two volumes was compiled by W. R. O. Fernando (Chairman), Gustavius Jayawardene. Hubert J. A. Mendis. B R. N. Mendis and D. R. Mendis.

Centenary Celebrations In Retrospect

During the first 100 years our Church has produced parishioners, who have sacrificed their wealth, time and energy for the extension of God’s Kingdom and to preach the good news. During this period we have witnessed 4 generations, who have worshipped and upheld the highest traditions of the Anglican faith in this country. In retrospect, it can be truly said that the success of the Centenary celebrations is a tribute to the diligent and careful planning of the Centenary Executive Committee and other Sub ” Committees and the whole­hearted cooperation extended by all parishioners in executing the various tasks assigned to them with zeal. We praise God Almighty that the Committee was successful in collecting the target of Rs. 100,000/-.