More History
A glimpse to the Past :
By Mr. Felix V.Perera
I first visited St. Mary's Church, Matara, presently known as the Church of our Lady of Matara as far back as 1948 at the age of ten years with my father. More…
A PEEP INTO THE PAST :
By K Michael de Silva
Sweet and happy memories come into my mind as I attempt to bring before the reader how the Titular Feast of St. Mary's Church (Nativity of Our Lady) was celebrated in the past. More…
Down Memory Lane 1906 to 2007.
1906 Laying of foundation stone for the church
1907 Aug: 4th : Blessing of the church by Vicar General Galle at the request of Rev. Fr. Adolphus Closset
1908 Nov : Rising seas and mini tidal waves lash the beach road destroying the parapet wall of the church.
1909 :A small building erected to house orphaned children within the church premises.
1911 Two alters constructed on either side within the main church. One dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in memory of Rev, Fr, Van.. Antiverpen and the other dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary housing the Miraculous Statue of Our Lady.
1911 June 2nd The statue of Our Lady of Matara sent by Rev Fr. Bernard (S.J)for restoration to P . Hent < Pius of Belgium Rt. Rev. Dr.Joseoh Van Reeth Bishop of Galle, for restoration to M. Zeus of Ghent, Belgium Fr. L Beernaert S.J.
1911 Sept : 29th The statue shipped back to Ceylon (Sri Lanka)on board the cargo boat “Beachy” which encounters storms and docks at Middlesbrough harbor England.
1912 Fourteen Way of the Cross plaques (commemorative inscriptions) installed within the church. The main alter modified and made smaller. Two attractive kerosene oil lamps fixed in the church.
1912 Oct: 15th Restoration completed the statue is handed over for transport aboard the “Princess Alice” which catches fire. The cargo ship “ Ukemark” brings the statue to Ceylon.
1912 Nov: 12th The statue of Our Lady of Matara is brought to Matara amidst the peeling of bells and booming of cannon at 8.00 p m
1913 A 400 pound bell imported from Belgium and a belfry constructed and opened by His Excellency Apostolic Ambassador Honorable Rev. Selleski who spends a one month holiday at Matara.
1914 An eye catching clock presented to the church is mounted on a 30 foot column. Beautiful Stained Glass windows depicting images of the Saints are installed in the church.
1915 A beautiful baptismal ceremony area constructed.
1932 The Silver Jubilee of the church is celebrated during the time of Rev Fr, Bastenier (S J)
1957 The church celebrates its Golden Jubilee in grandeur with Rev. Fr. T.N.Alles as Parish Priest of Matara.
1983 The church celebrates 75 years of its existence in a stately manner with Rev. Fr. Molligoda Moses as Parish Priest
1991 The church is expanded frontward by 12 feet and the front appearance reconstructed as before maintaining the same appearance coinciding with the “Gamudawa” celebrations at Kamburupitiya.
1993 March 19th Opening and blessing of the replica of Our Lady of Matara by Rt. Rev.Dr. Elmo Perera Bishop of Galle to commemorate his Lordships first official visit to Matara and commemorating the centenary celebrations of the Gall Diocese
1995 Sep: 8th Opening ceremony of outside permanent podium.
1996 June 8th Consecration of the church and alter by Rt. Rev. Dr. Elmo Perera Bishop of Galle
1997 Sep: 8th Invited by Rev. Fr. Nihal Nanayakkara the opening and blessing of new belfry by conducted by Rt. Rev. Dr. Elmo Perera Bishop of Galle
2004 Sep: 13th New Mission hall blessed by Rt. Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis Archbishop of Colombo and opened by Hon: Mahinda Rajapakse Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
2004 Dec: 24th Christmas day service and celebrations televised live to the nation by the TV channel “Swarnawahani”.
2004 Dec: 26th The Church and Mission house extensively damaged by the tsunami
- v The miraculous statue of Our Lady of Matara was washed away to sea by the tsunami waters.
- v Twenty four persons attending Sunday Holy Mass (service ) lost their lives including that of Rev. Sister Bernedet Coolmayer
2005 May 29th The miraculous statue of Our Lady of Matara brought back to the mission of Matara by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera Bishop of Galle and this day also coincides with His Lordships official welcoming to Matara Parish.
2005 June 15th Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium visits St Mary’s Church.
2005 Sep:8th The miraculous Statue of Our lady of Matara enshrined in the church on a elevated dais by Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Mario Senari and Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera Bishop of Galle.
2005 Sep: 10th Blessing of new grotto and replica of Our Lady of Matara.
2005 Oct: 31st His Excellency Monsignor Priani Ambooci and delegation from Catholic University of Milan visits the church.
2006 Jan: 3rd His Excellency Cardinal Murphy Oconnor of the united Kingdom visits the church.
2006 Jan: 8th His Excellency Noratus Ragamba Apostolic Ambassador of Indonesia visits St Mary’s Church.
2006 May 12th The new library declared open by His excellency Pio Mariani Ambassador of Italy and Mrs Mariani accompanied by a delegation from the Catholic University of Milan Italy
2006 Sep: 9th Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera Bishop of Galle at the request of Rev Fr. Charles Hewawasam Parish Priest officially declares the Centenary 1907–2007.
2007 May 18th Hon; Minister of Religious Affairs Pandu Bandaranayake visits the church in connection with the inaugural official government meeting planning out the centenary celebrations.
2007 June 20th Foundation stone laid for the Centenary Monument by Rev. Fr. Charles Hewawasam.
2007 July 30th The blessing of the renovated Mission house that was extensively damaged by the tsunami is conducted by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera at the request of Rev. Fr, Charles Hewawasam Parish Priest in accompaniment with priests of the diocese .
2007 July 31st The Bishop of Galle Rt. Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera had two cordial meetings the first with the Chief Buddhist Monks of Matara and the other with distinguished guests of Matara.