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125th Anniversary: Brief look at the history of St. Luke's

Building St. Luke's Church Borella was the initiative of Dr. J. L. Vanderstraten M.D. who was concerned that the growing community of Christians in Borella and surrounding areas did not have a House of Worship to meet for prayer.

He formed a committee and as its Treasurer launched the fund-raising campaign. Appropriately the church was dedicated to St. Luke the Beloved Physician/Evangelist an Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ. The location of the Church was in the vicinity of several Christian schools, hospitals, and residences of those in the medical profession who were also Christians. The church was built in traditional Gothic style of architecture and lit by gas lamps.

The foundation stone was laid by Revd Ireland Jones on 8th October 1880 and nine months later the building was completed. The same Revd Jones preached the first sermon in the little church of St. Luke at its dedication on 30th June 1881.

St. Luke's Church was part of the Kotte Mission. Congregation was mostly students from the two CMS Boarding schools situated in Ward Place and Rosmead Place, the staff and all the medical professionals who resided in the vicinity. Services were conducted in all three languages.

From 1895 to 1928 clergy from Kotte, Galle Face and the Diocese ministered to the congregation. The Church launched several missionary activities. Revd G. T. Fleming in whose time the Fleming Hall was built and the Revds G. S. Ameresekera, G. I. and G. B. Perera, D. L. Welikala and V. B. Muthuveloe ministered to the congregation. In 1929 Revd Ivan Corea was appointed incumbent of the Parish.

Transformation of the Church to its present style of Sri Lankan Architecture took place during the 25 years Revd Ivan Corea was incumbent. It was necessary to enlarge the building as there was a great increase in the number of worshippers.

The new church was entirely designed by Revd Ivan Corea, who personally drew freehand the designs for the pillars and octagonal tower of the Sanctuary, also the doors and windows and all the decorative motifs.

The tablet for the extension was laid by the Ven F. L. Beven, Bishop's Commissionary on St. Luke's eve 17th October 1938. The extension was completed and the Church consecrated on the day of its Diamond Jubilee 30th June 1941 by Bishop Horsley. The faithful parishioners gave generously in cash and materials towards the structural expansion of the Church.

The Church launched several missionary activities and social service projects in the Wanathamulla area and with the Rodiya community in Narahenpita. Women and girls were taught needle work at the sewing classes. There was a night school at which the boys were taught English.

A few years' later girls were given nursing classes by the St. John's Ambulance Brigade which helped them to find employment as nurses and aides in the hospitals. The Bible Teachers were very active and a residence was built for them by Dr. & Mrs. Abraham Perera.

There were Missions of Revival and Healing. The Healing Mission of Bishop Dr. Pakenam Walsh made headline news in September 1942. There was an annual week of witness prior to St. Luke's Festival on 18th October.

A special Service for those in the medical profession was held at St. Luke's which was very well attended by those in the healthcare service. There was also a daily morning service at 5.30 a.m. which as attended by medical personnel before reporting for duty. Revd Ivan Corea was the longest serving Vicar at St. Luke's 1929-1954.

At the time Revd Swithin Fernando took over from his predecessor the Parish was well equipped. The camaraderie that prevailed among the members of the congregation made an impression on the new Vicar. He was quick to spot the need for a place in which they could meet socially.

The Parish Hall became a reality. It has been an asset to the Congregation, as all church activities are carried on in this Hall. It has also been the venue at which talented members of the youth fellowship produced and staged Dramas of high quality to packed audiences. There were Easter Rallies and several family day outings and excursions to the Sanctuaries, ancient ruined cities and to the North.

Revd Charles Thomas began to minister in 1961 and had a long and fruitful ministry for eighteen years following in the footsteps of his predecessors, carrying on with the ongoing outreach projects. We had the Bro. Mandus Healing Mission and Bingham revival mission. The Carol Service with Nativity plays staged by the Sunday school children, dramas by the Youth at Easter, family picnics and excursions.

Revd Kenneth Fernando took charge of St. Luke's in 1979. The Centenary Celebrations were conducted on a grand scale. A Trust Fund was launched to mark the Centenary and a sum of Rs. 500,000 raised.

A Holy Communion Service in Sinhala at Christmas was given live coverage on our Television services at which the Celebrant was Revd Kenneth. During his ministry the Ridgeway Creche, Elders Home at Nawala and Free Medical Clinic for parishioners and people in the neighbourhood were inaugurated. Revd Kenneth revived the YF and encouraged the Youth to take a more active role in the activities of the Church.

In 1984, Revd Desmond Goonesekera was appointed Vicar. No stranger to St. Luke's having served as Asst. Curate to Fr. Charles Thomas, Fr. Desmond brought in a Spiritual Revival. Youth Fellowship members attended Sunday evening service after their meetings. Singing of choruses was introduced at this service accompanied by organ and guitar music played by the Vicar.

These services were popular with the younger generation not only of St. Luke's but other churches as well. Mission Family Camps, the first of which was conducted in 1986 was open to all Anglican churches. Many shared in the blessing of participation. The follow up Mission School on Saturdays helped many to grow stronger spiritually.

Clergy who followed were Revds Lionel Pieris and Nihal Attanayake had very short ministries. Fr. Emmanuel Gnanapragasam also served for short time and introduced Healing Services and Bible Study, which were well attended. The Archdeacon of Colombo ably assisted by Revd Bernard Bocks overlooked the Parish until Revd Chrisantha Mendis took over in 1992. Fr. Chrisantha Mendis ministered for seven years. He revived the family camps and two were held in his time.

After him Revd Coilpillai took office and continued in the same traditions of his predecessors. Our present Vicar Revd Patrick Pereira is a quiet caring priest who in addition to his duties at St. Luke's is the Secretary of the DMC. This has him supervising the evangelical work carried out down south and the relief work for the tsunami victims. May God bless him with good health and give him grace and strength to serve long in His vineyards.

During the 125 years of witness some young people of the Parish touched by the Holy Spirit have offered themselves for full time ministry within the Diocese and in other Christian organisations. Clergy who ministered have been elevated to Arch deacons Bishops and an Arch Bishop. May St. Luke's continue to shine as a light in these dark and dismal times.

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